Iran says seven tankers hit near Hormuz, Guards threaten U.S. bases
Four tankers reportedly caught fire and three struck mines. It would be the worst day for shipping since the war began, but the claims could not be independently verified.
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
Video: YouTube · LiveNOW from FOX · youtube.com
Iranian state television reported overnight into Thursday that seven oil tankers had been hit in and around the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Revolutionary Guard's navy, four tankers were attacked in the northern Persian Gulf while transferring oil and caught fire. Three others struck mines west of the strait and were immobilized. The broadcaster gave no details on casualties or the ships' flags, and the report could not be independently verified.
If accurate, it would be the largest number of vessels damaged in a single day since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, according to The Associated Press. The Revolutionary Guard also threatened to strike U.S. bases in the region if Washington keeps escorting ships through the strait. U.S. Central Command says it has now maintained its resumed naval blockade on Iran for 100 days.
U.S. President Donald Trump accused Tehran of "making up fake hits" to drive up oil prices ahead of the midterms. He also said the United States was not negotiating with Iran and that "something one way or another will happen, fairly soon." He added: "Most people seem to think it's after the election," referring to the Nov. 3 midterms.