Iran reports three more tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict
Iran said three additional tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, while U.S. political shifts have intensified debate over the Gulf war.
Iran announced that three more tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, underscoring the continued risk to shipping while the Gulf conflict remains unresolved.
The loss of Republican control of Congress in the recent U.S. election prompted Vice President JD Vance to attribute his party's defeat to the war, posting a lengthy comment on social media. In response, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized Vance, suggesting he should urge President Donald Trump to end the strikes.
Oil prices have fallen in recent days as traders assess the possibility that President Trump, facing electoral backlash, may be less inclined to resume the strikes launched with Israel in February under the operation named "Epic Fury." Prices rebounded slightly on Thursday but remain more than $20 per barrel lower than the previous week.
Attacks on tankers continue at a pace close to the record set in October, with at least five vessels reporting incidents since Sunday, according to the UK maritime security agency UKMTO. The agency noted a vessel was hit by two unidentified projectiles on Wednesday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said two tankers struck naval mines and another caught fire on Thursday, while typically not confirming attacks on merchant ships.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned against any inclination to submit to the United States, stating the U.S. would remain hostile regardless of the governing party. President Trump defended the war’s initiation, citing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. A White House adviser indicated that some officials view Vice President Vance’s remarks as a departure from the president’s foreign-policy stance, though two Reuters sources said Trump is still likely to consider further military action.
Mediation efforts involving Qatari intermediaries continue, but no breakthrough has been announced on the core issues that have stalled a peace agreement. Qatar said the United States and Iran remain committed to mediation and are reviewing proposals aimed at narrowing their differences.