Iran reports three tankers hit by mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran reported on Thursday that three oil tankers struck mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. The state broadcaster cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps, stating the vessels were damaged over the past 24 hours. The tankers were attempting to exit the waterway through a route the navy described as unauthorized.

Iranian naval officials said the ships switched off their radar and navigation systems. They also ignored warnings before hitting the mines. The damaged vessels were abandoned off the southern coast of the strait. The report did not name the tankers or list any casualties.

The U.S. military denied a separate Iranian claim made the same day. Iranian state television said the Revolutionary Guard captured an MQM-170 Outlaw drone near the strait. It described the action as an electronic warfare operation that took control of the drone before landing it in Iran. U.S. Central Command called the report false.

Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for Central Command, said the Iranian Guard has lied repeatedly in recent weeks. He noted that today's claim was no different. The U.S. military did not provide further details. Iran made a similar claim in 2011 regarding an RQ-170 Sentinel drone. U.S. officials at that time said the aircraft malfunctioned.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party amplified allegations that Arab-led parties stole the election. Final results were expected Thursday evening. These results are likely to confirm that Netanyahu's bloc lost its parliamentary majority. No single party holds the 61 seats needed to govern the Knesset.

Netanyahu pointed to a new request from the elections committee. The committee asked the Shin Bet intelligence service to investigate interference by unspecified foreign entities. The request did not name the Arab-led parties. Netanyahu and his party argued that no coalition should include those groups.

In Yemen, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said a Saudi strike killed 12 people in the city of Taiz. Three others were critically wounded, including women and children. The strike hit two homes belonging to the same family on Thursday. The ministry blamed Saudi Arabia, though the Associated Press could not independently verify the numbers. Taiz province remains a contested front line.

A Houthi-run human rights body reported that another strike hit a paint factory in Taiz on Wednesday. The incident caused a large fire that could release toxic gases. It may also contaminate nearby soil and groundwater. In Saudi Arabia, air defenses destroyed two ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh. The missiles were fired by Houthi rebels. The Houthi group had not claimed responsibility for the strikes as of Thursday.

In Gaza, an Israeli strike on a civilian vehicle in the central territory killed two people. One other person was wounded. Health officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed the casualties. Israel's military did not respond to a request for comment. More than 1,550 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since a ceasefire began in October 2025. The Gaza Health Ministry maintains the records.

A senior Iranian security official said the government received a message from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The semi-official Fars news agency reported the letter was sent to Major General Mohsen Rezaei. He is the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Iran has not responded to the letter. Diplomats said U.S. officials told regional allies to prepare for potential military action against Iran after next week's U.S. midterm elections.