Iran blames mines for three tanker fires in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reported on Friday that three oil tankers struck naval mines and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz. One of the vessels was a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of oil. The Guard said the supertanker was using an unauthorized route when it hit the mine.

The Guard identified the incident as the third explosion involving an oil tanker on Friday. It claimed the other two vessels had switched off their navigation systems and ignored radio warnings before striking mines. Iranian state media reported that Tehran has repeatedly warned ships against entering the waterway without permission. The country has asserted control over the strait since the war began on Feb. 28.

U.S. military officials rejected the claim that mines caused the damage. They stated that U.S. forces have cleared all internationally recognized primary transit routes of sea mines. The U.S. did not specify when the last sweep occurred or how many mines were removed during the process.

Oman’s Maritime Security Center announced it evacuated 25 crew members from a Panama-flagged tanker. The center said the ship caught fire 1.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate. It is unclear if this specific incident is one of the three fires described by Iranian authorities.

Saudi Arabia announced it intercepted a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels near Mecca. The country’s military coalition stated the drone was destroyed in the region surrounding the city. Mecca is Islam’s holiest site and receives millions of pilgrims annually. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a coalition spokesperson, confirmed the interception.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied targeting Mecca. He said in a statement that the group’s operations focus on Saudi oil facilities and military bases. This denial follows previous reports of Saudi forces intercepting missiles and drones headed toward Mecca and Medina.

The United Nations reported that more than 281,000 people have been displaced in Yemen between Aug. 1 and Oct. 25. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the majority of civilians fled fighting in Taiz and along the West Coast. A new surge of displacement from Lahj province in mid-October indicates the crisis is spreading.

OCHA documented 263 civilian casualties in Yemen as of Oct. 27. This total includes 67 people killed. Children account for 97 of the casualties and about half of the deaths. The agency noted that fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces continues across parts of the country.

Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday to meet with Iranian officials. The delegation was led by Qatar’s foreign minister and a senior adviser to the prime minister. Iranian state news agency IRNA said they met with senior Iranian officials but did not name them. The visit follows a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Tehran acknowledged receipt of Vance’s letter on Thursday but said it had not responded. President Donald Trump suggested the letter concerned humanitarian aid rather than peace negotiations. Diplomats said U.S. officials have told regional allies to prepare for potential renewed military action against Iran after next week’s U.S. midterm elections.