Strait of Hormuz: Tankers Explode in Mined Waters

Three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours. The Iranian state broadcaster cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps for the report. The vessels attempted to exit through a restricted route, according to Iran's navy. Officials said the ships turned off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings. The damaged vessels were abandoned off the southern coast of the waterway. The report did not name the tankers or list casualties.

A British military monitor confirmed seeing a vessel on fire while transiting the strait. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center stated it did not know the crew's status or the extent of the damage. It was unclear if that burning ship was one of the three mentioned by the Revolutionary Guard. Tensions remain high in the region as concerns grow that U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran could resume. Tankers continue to move oil through the strait under U.S. military protection, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence.

Israelis awaited final election results that could be announced as early as Thursday evening. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies do not appear to reach the 61-seat majority needed to form a new government. Opposition parties, including Arab-led ones, are also seeking to unseat him. The head of the Central Elections Committee asked the Shin Bet intelligence service to investigate allegations of foreign interference. The investigation must present findings within a week. Israeli law requires election results to be certified by Nov. 4.

The letter dated Wednesday noted alleged funding by foreign entities against the Israeli interest. It did not provide specifics or confirm the validity of the claims. Netanyahu used the request to assert that no party should cooperate with Arab-led groups, even though the letter did not mention that issue. Local media projected 53 parliament seats for his bloc. Opposition parties are projected to hold 48 seats, and Arab-led parties 19. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that he would be ready to resume peace talks once a new government forms.

In Yemen, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said a strike killed 12 people and critically wounded three others in the besieged city of Taiz. The ministry blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack on two homes belonging to the same family. The province in southwestern Yemen has seen renewed fighting and airstrikes in recent weeks. A separate strike hit a paint factory late Wednesday, according to a Houthi-run human rights body. The strike caused a large fire and could release toxic gases into nearby soil and groundwater.

In central Gaza, an Israeli strike on a civilian vehicle killed two people and wounded another on Thursday. Health officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported the casualties. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. The death toll in Gaza has climbed daily more than a year after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire. Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,550 Palestinians since the ceasefire began in October 2025, according to the territory's Health Ministry.