Trump hints at imminent breakthrough as seven tankers burn in Strait of Hormuz

Seven oil tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight and caught fire after being attacked by Iranian forces or hitting a mine. Iran’s state television reported the incident, according to the AP. It did not say which flags the tankers were sailing under or whether anyone was injured.

If reports of seven vessels on fire are confirmed, it would be the highest number of tankers damaged in a single day in the Strait of Hormuz since 28 February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, triggering the war. Tehran then restricted shipping through the maritime route, which is vital for exports of oil, gas and other commodities from Persian Gulf countries, and the United States later began blockading Iranian ports.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the country’s most powerful military force, said they had attacked four oil tankers overnight for sailing without their consent. Three others were damaged after hitting naval mines. The Guards also warned Washington against urging cargo ships to sail through routes in the Strait of Hormuz where US forces are seeking to ensure their safe passage. In response, the Iranian Guards again threatened further attacks on US bases in Persian Gulf countries.

The Strait of Hormuz remains, alongside Iran’s nuclear programme, the main sticking point in talks to end the war between the United States and Iran. The talks resulted in a memorandum this June, but both sides soon violated it. In September, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Those talks also made no progress.

There are now fears of a further escalation of the conflict, although some expect it to come only after the US midterm elections in early November. US President Donald Trump told reporters overnight that something would happen regarding the conflict with Iran very soon, according to Al Arabiya’s website.

“I don’t think we’re negotiating,” Trump replied to reporters when asked about the state of the talks.

“One way or another, something is going to happen, and fairly soon. Most people probably think it will happen after the elections; we’ll see what happens,” Trump added.