Iran has reported that seven oil tankers were struck and damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, marking what it described as the highest number of vessels hit in a single day since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that four of the vessels were carrying oil when they came under attack and caught fire overnight. The remaining three reportedly sustained damage after hitting naval mines.
However, the claims have not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not disclosed the vessels’ flags or whether there were any casualties.
Iran Threatens to Target US Bases
The IRGC has warned that it could expand its operations to American military bases across the Middle East if Washington continues efforts to escort commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.
In a statement published on its Sepah News website, the Iranian military said the United States should expect the conflict to spread to its regional bases if the current situation continues.
Iran maintains that it controls the Strait of Hormuz and has repeatedly attacked vessels attempting to navigate the waterway without its authorisation.
Before the conflict began, approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supplies passed through the strait, making it one of the most strategically important shipping routes for global energy markets.
Meanwhile, US forces have increased efforts to escort vessels through the waterway, prompting further confrontations with Iran.
Trump Rejects Iran's Claims
US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran's reports of attacks and naval mines, accusing Tehran of attempting to increase global oil prices ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump alleged that Iran was fabricating reports of attacks to influence oil prices.
He also claimed that more oil was passing through the Strait of Hormuz than before the war began.
A spokesperson for the US Central Command, speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, similarly rejected Iran's claims about naval mines.
The spokesperson said US forces had cleared international shipping lanes of mines and accused Iran of using missiles and drones to attack vessels.
According to the US military, the strait remains open, with approximately 95 per cent of vessels successfully passing through the waterway.
The spokesperson also described the attacks as evidence of pressure on Tehran resulting from the US blockade, which Washington says is intended to prevent Iran from rebuilding military capabilities damaged during the conflict.
Rising Oil Prices Put Pressure on Washington
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Mohamed Vall said attacks on ships and oil tankers were increasing, with Iranian authorities indicating that they intended to maintain pressure over control of the strategic waterway.
He added that discussions in Tehran suggested the possibility of further military escalation, with some Iranians anticipating additional US attacks before the American midterm elections in early November.
Vall also reported that Iran's military leadership had claimed the country was better prepared than ever to sustain a prolonged conflict with the United States.
However, Washington faces growing domestic concerns over the financial consequences of the war, particularly rising fuel prices and the cost of military operations.
Americans Demand Relief From War Costs
Reporting from the White House, Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett said escalating military action against Iran could carry political consequences for the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections.
She noted that recent opinion polls indicated that many Americans wanted relief from the financial burden of the conflict, including the use of taxpayer money to fund military operations.
Rising fuel prices have also increased pressure on households already struggling with everyday living expenses.
According to Halkett, concerns about the economic impact of the war are not limited to opposition Democrats, as some members of Trump's own Republican Party are also facing pressure over the conflict.
The latest developments highlight the growing confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, with the potential for further military escalation threatening international shipping and global energy supplies.
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