Iran says seven ships hit in Hormuz Strait, warns US of wider response

Iran notes that seven oil tankers have been struck and sustained damage in the Strait of Hormuz, the largest single-day toll for the waterway since the United States and Israel kicked off their war against Iran on February 28.

Key points

• US President Donald Trump remarked on Thursday that "Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of oil prior to the US Midterm Election".
• A US Central Command spokesperson, speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, additionally called Iran's mine claims incorrect.
• The strait remains open, the spokesperson remarked, with 95 percent of vessels getting through.
• "They have full control over the Strait of Hormuz right now, they say."
• Iran claims control over Hormuz, a strategic shipping route through which one-fifth of the world's oil supplies passed before war broke out.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remarked in an official note on Thursday that four of the vessels were transferring oil when they were targeted and caught fire overnight. The other three were disabled after striking mines.

Meanwhile, the claims could not be independently verified, and the report did not provide details regarding feasible casualties or the tankers' flags.

In practice, the IRGC additionally cautioned that it could strike US bases throughout the Middle East if Washington moves to assist tankers transit other parts of the strait.

"The US military must know that if this trend continues, the conflict will extend to its bases in the region, " the IRGC remarked in an official note on its Sepah News website. "This is a serious warning."

Iran claims control over Hormuz, a strategic shipping route through which one-fifth of the world's oil supplies passed before war broke out. It regularly attacks ships that attempt to navigate the strait without its authorisation.

But the US military has been escorting vessels through the waterway in increasing numbers, with Iran responding by stepping up attacks.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, he continued: "They are making up fake hits, mines, and everything else because more oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait now than it did even prior to the beginning of the conflict."

Notably, a US Central Command spokesperson, speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, additionally called Iran's mine claims incorrect.

For context, the spokesperson remarked US forces have cleared the international shipping lanes of mines and that Iran is using missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, the strait remains open, the spokesperson remarked, with 95 percent of vessels getting through.

For context, the attacks, the spokesperson continued, show Tehran's "desperation" under the US blockade. It cuts Iran off from the resources it needs to rebuild the military capabilities the US has stated it destroyed. Americans want 'relief' from war costs.

"The number of ships and tankers attacked every single day is increasing, and Iran is saying it is continuing to do this because they are not going to allow any change in that situation, " remarked Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall, reporting from Tehran.

Vall remarked there is additionally talk in Tehran regarding an imminent escalation in the war, with the Iranians expecting the US to attack even before US midterm elections in early November.

"The IRGC army chief has boasted that Iran is more ready than anytime before, and has produced enough weapons and equipment to wage a symmetrical war against the United States, " he remarked.

Reporting from the US White House, Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett remarked: "Striking Iran does not appear to serve any Republican interests", adding that pre-election polls tell the same story for Trump's political party.

"What we've seen in surveys in recent months, and as of today, is that most Americans want relief from their tax money going to pay for any potential war with Iran that is ramped up, " Halkett remarked.

There is real frustration over the rising cost for everyday Americans, given the rising fuel rates that have occurred as of this conflict. Consequently, the US president is having to create the case.

"The pressure is on the president, and it's not just from the opposition party, " she remarked. "It is also from within the Republican Party as well."

Taken together, the developments around iran says seven ships hit in Hormuz Strait, warns US of wider point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.