DUBAI, Oct 22: Iran’s state television has reported that seven oil tankers sustained damage in the Strait of Hormuz overnight Thursday, with the vessels reportedly struck by attacks or hitting naval mines. If confirmed, this would mark the most significant single-day tally of damaged vessels in the critical waterway since the commencement of the Iran war on February 28.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that four of the affected tankers were in the process of transferring oil when they were targeted and subsequently caught fire. An additional three tankers were reportedly damaged and immobilized after striking naval mines. The report, quoting a statement from the Revolutionary Guard’s navy, did not immediately provide details regarding potential casualties or the nationalities of the vessels involved.
The Iranian report also carried a warning, suggesting that the Revolutionary Guard might target U.S. bases in the region should the United States attempt to facilitate oil tanker transit through alternative routes within the strait. Historically, the Revolutionary Guard has engaged in targeting U.S. bases in Gulf countries during periods of conflict.
The article also included separate reports from the Middle East. Yemen’s Defense Ministry issued a warning on Thursday that Houthi rallies and mobilization programs would be considered legitimate military targets, advising residents in Houthi-controlled areas against participation. This announcement was shared via a social media post and is seen as a significant escalation against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and civilians residing in areas under their influence. Yemen’s ministry stated that such assemblies are utilized by the Houthis to mobilize children for combat.
In a separate development, Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed on Thursday that the death toll from an attack on King Fahd International Airport had risen to two. The casualties included a Saudi citizen and an Indian national residing in the kingdom, with another eight individuals sustaining injuries in the attack that occurred late Wednesday. Saudi authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the attack, nor have they provided specific details. King Fahd Airport, located in the eastern part of the country near Bahrain and Qatar, has been a target of previous attacks amid a broader series of Houthi missile and projectile strikes against major airports in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Syrian state news agency SANA reported that a civilian with special needs was killed on Thursday during an Israeli forces raid in the village of Jamla, situated in southern Syria’s Daraa province. The report did not specify the circumstances of the individual’s death. The Israeli military had not immediately responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting. Following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israel has maintained control over a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria since December 2024. While Jamla is not within the Israeli-occupied zone, Israeli forces have been known to conduct incursions into areas beyond this zone.
The Chenab Times News Desk