Iran Claims Tanker Strikes as Trump Accuses Tehran of Manipulation

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Thursday that it struck seven oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian military branch stated that four vessels caught fire during illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers and three others were disabled by naval mines. Tehran warned that it would target U.S. military bases across the Middle East if Washington continues to escort tankers through the strait.

President Donald Trump and U.S. Central Command disputed these claims, asserting that Iran is fabricating reports of mine strikes to drive up oil prices before the U.S. midterm elections. A U.S. Central Command spokesperson stated that forces have cleared shipping lanes of mines and that Iran is instead utilizing missiles and drones. While the White House confirmed that the U.S. will not attack Iran before the elections, the IRGC maintains it is prepared for a symmetrical war.

Independent reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations documented separate projectile strikes on tankers near Oman and Iraq, including damage to the vessel JIF BARRACUDA in the United Arab Emirates.