Iran Claims Two Supertankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz as Houthi Strikes Rattle Saudi Arabia

Iran Claims Two Supertankers Hit Mines in Strait of Hormuz as Houthi Strikes Rattle Saudi Arabia

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claims two more supertankers struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the latest flashpoint in a standoff that has already choked one of the world's most important oil waterways. Iranian media also rejected reports that Tehran had offered Washington a proposal or sent one through a Pakistani mediator on reopening the strait. The mine claims are Iranian and remain unverified by independent sources.

The tension keeps rising on both sides. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington may carry out another military operation against Iran, while Iran's armed forces chief said on Saturday that US warships would not be allowed into the Persian Gulf under any circumstances. The numbers show how badly shipping has been hit: the IMF's PortWatch recorded just four transits through the strait on October 18, against a pre-crisis baseline of roughly 85 a day.

At the same time, the Iran-backed Houthis continue cross-border strikes on Saudi Arabia, targeting oil facilities and airports. Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, and to and from Jeddah until October 31. Saudi Arabia has issued safety warnings for Riyadh and other regions, and last week's attack on Riyadh's King Khalid airport was the heaviest of the campaign so far.

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