Iran reports three tankers hit by mines in Strait of Hormuz

Three oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. One of the vessels was a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude oil. The Guard stated that the ship struck a naval mine and exploded while using a route that Tehran had not authorized. This marked the third such incident reported by Iranian forces on a single day.

The Revolutionary Guard’s navy announced that two other tankers also caught fire after hitting mines in the strait. Iranian state television reported that these vessels had turned off their navigation and positioning systems. The Guard said the ships ignored repeated radio warnings before the explosions occurred. Iranian authorities did not identify the names of the vessels or provide specific details about the crews involved. The Associated Press could not independently verify these claims.

Oman reported that it evacuated 25 crew members from a Panama-flagged tanker. The vessel was attacked and caught fire 1.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate. It remains unclear if this specific incident is connected to the three tankers identified by Iran. Tehran has claimed control over much of the waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran has warned vessels against passing through without permission, stating last month that unauthorized ships would face destruction.

In a separate development, Saudi Arabia said its coalition forces intercepted and destroyed a drone near Mecca. The drone was launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Mecca is Islam’s holiest city and serves as a destination for millions of pilgrims annually. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied that the group targeted Mecca. He stated that Houthi operations focus on Saudi oil facilities and military bases. Both sides have made competing claims about similar incidents in the past.

The United Nations reported that the number of displaced people in Yemen has surpassed 281,000. Fighting continues between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces across parts of the country. The U.N. stated that the crisis is spreading rather than stabilizing. Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday to hold talks with Iranian officials. The delegation was led by Qatar’s foreign minister and a senior adviser to the prime minister. The IRNA state news agency confirmed meetings with senior Iranian officials but did not name the specific participants.

These talks follow a letter sent by U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Tehran acknowledged receipt of the letter on Thursday but said it had not responded. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the letter concerned humanitarian aid rather than peace negotiations. U.S. officials have told regional allies to prepare for potential renewed military action against Iran after next week’s midterm elections.

Israeli forces demolished two homes in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Friday. The homes belonged to Palestinian gunmen who killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others in an attack last week. Israel launched a military operation following the attack, killing both gunmen and ordering residents to evacuate the neighborhood. Roads into and out of Hebron were closed. The U.N. humanitarian office said more than 3,000 people had been displaced by the closures, which disrupted local businesses and movement.

U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk warned that the operation raised concerns about disproportionate force. He said statements by senior Israeli officials indicated the measures were punitive. Türk called for displaced residents to be allowed to return home. He described collective punishment as a grave violation of international law.