Three Tankers Explode in Strait of Hormuz in 24 Hours, Iran Claims

A vessel is on fire north of Khasab, Oman, according to British maritime officials.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced the blaze on Thursday. The agency, which operates under the Royal Navy, did not specify the cause of the fire or list any casualties. The burning ship was spotted 9 nautical miles, or 17 kilometers, from the Omani town. Crew status and environmental impact remain unknown.

Iran has intensified its control over the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began in February following US and Israeli attacks. Tehran targets ships it deems unauthorized users of the waterway. The Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) stated on Thursday that three tankers exploded and caught fire within the previous 24 hours. The IRGC attributed the damage to sea mines and said the vessels were using an unauthorized route. It is not yet confirmed if the ship reported by UKMTO is one of those three.

Shipping data provider Kpler reported that oil exports through the strait decreased again last week. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy says attacks on ships are at their highest level since the war started. The US Navy is enforcing its own blockade of Iranian vessels and has recently escorted tankers through the area where the fire was reported.

Iranian forces also reported downing a US drone east of the waterway on Thursday. Tasnim news agency cited the IRGC, which said a new, advanced air defense system was used. The IRGC claims its forces have destroyed 14 drones of this type and more than 50 MQ-9 Reaper drones since the war began. Independent verification of these numbers is pending, though the US Congressional Research Service notes that dozens of US aircraft and drones have been reported lost or damaged.

President Donald Trump is widely expected to consider new strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3. Last week, Trump said, "we may do another little Epic Fury," referring to the February attacks on Tehran. He did not provide a timeline for these potential operations. A third US aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are currently moving to the region.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia. If confirmed, this departure follows the forced retirement of Sylvia’s predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, last October. The Atlantic reported that no reason was given for Sylvia’s departure and no replacement has been named.