Iran reports three tankers hit by mines in Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on Thursday that three oil tankers struck mines and caught fire while trying to leave the Strait of Hormuz. The state broadcaster reported that the incidents occurred over the previous 24 hours. The vessels were attempting to exit through a route not authorized for transit.

According to the Iranian navy, the tankers turned off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from authorities. The damaged ships were abandoned off the southern coast of the waterway. The report did not name the specific vessels or provide information on casualties. The Associated Press could not independently confirm the claims.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center noted that a ship passing through the strait saw another vessel on fire. The center said it did not know the condition of the crew or the extent of the damage. It remained unclear if that burning ship was one of the three cited by Iran.

U.S. Central Command rejected Iran’s claim that it captured an American surveillance drone near the strait. Iranian state television reported that the Revolutionary Guard conducted an electronic warfare operation to detect and take control of an MQM-170 Outlaw drone. They said they landed the aircraft on Iranian territory but did not specify when the event took place.

Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for Central Command, called the report false. He stated that the Revolutionary Guard has repeatedly lied in recent weeks and months. The U.S. military did not provide further details. Iran made a similar claim in 2011 regarding an RQ-170 Sentinel drone, which U.S. officials later said malfunctioned.

In Yemen, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said a Saudi strike killed 12 people and critically wounded three others in the city of Taiz. The ministry said the attack hit two homes belonging to the same family. A Houthi-run human rights body reported that a separate strike hit a paint factory late Wednesday. They warned the fire could release toxic gases and contaminate local soil and groundwater.

Israelis are waiting for final election results expected Thursday evening. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party amplified claims that Arab-led parties stole the vote. Final tallies are expected to show Netanyahu’s bloc losing its majority in parliament. No single party has the 61 seats needed to control the Knesset. Netanyahu cited a request for the Shin Bet to investigate alleged foreign interference, though the request did not specifically name Arab-led parties. Separately, a senior Iranian official said his government received a message from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The message was sent to Major General Mohsen Rezaei, and Iran has not yet responded.