Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday night that seven oil tankers were set on fire or damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
The IRGC’s statement, aired on state television, cites the tankers as having been struck by Iranian missiles or naval mines, though independent verification is pending. No casualties were reported, but the incidents add to a month‑long spike in maritime attacks that has already cost the global oil market billions.
The attacks come amid heightened tensions with Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a potential election loss, and the United States, which has deployed a third aircraft carrier and thousands of troops to the area in response to Iranian and Houthi aggression.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran remains open to diplomacy but is ready to defend itself, warning that the U.S. could face retaliatory strikes on its bases if it continues to escort commercial vessels. Washington has indicated it will maintain a robust naval presence until the situation stabilizes.
Maersk, which operates several vessels through the strait, has temporarily suspended operations in the area, citing safety concerns, while insurance firms are re-evaluating risk premiums for Gulf shipping.