Iran Disables UAE Tanker as U.S. Builds Up Forces

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps disabled the M/T Louise-1, a UAE-owned crude oil tanker, using limpet naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday night. Attackers in a small boat attached two magnetic explosives to the hull, triggering a fire in the engine room. While the crew remained unharmed, the incident marks the first time Iran has used limpet mines since 2019, signaling a tactical shift in Operation Epic Fury away from a primary reliance on drones and sea mines.

Simultaneously, the United States is executing a significant military build-up in the Middle East. Reports indicate an airlift involving at least 80 aerial refueling tankers and ten heavy transport aircraft arriving in Israel. The White House has signaled that the U.S. may engage in renewed major combat against Iran following the upcoming midterm elections.