Tanker disabled by explosives in Strait of Hormuz as Iran's Revolutionary Guards say two tankers were stopped; Qatari mediators arrive in Tehran
Shipping sources told Reuters a small boat attached two explosive devices to the Panama-flagged tanker Louise 1 near Khasab, Oman, causing an engine-room fire; the crew was unhurt. The IRGC navy said two tankers trying to cross without Iranian authorisation had been stopped. Donald Trump said of the conflict with Iran: 'It will be over soon.'
Claims by Iran and other parties about attacks on shipping cannot be independently confirmed.
A tanker was disabled by explosives attached to its hull in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday 29 October, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) and shipping sources said. UKMTO said a small boat attached two explosive devices to a tanker about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, and the blasts caused an engine-room fire. Shipping sources told Reuters the vessel was the Panama-flagged Louise 1, that the crew was unhurt and that the tanker later resumed its voyage. Reuters said it was not clear who was responsible.
On Friday the navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two tankers that tried to leave the strait by an “unauthorised” route, after ignoring radio warnings, “became involved in incidents and were stopped” off its southern coast. It did not name the ships. It was not clear whether the Louise 1 was one of them.
US President Donald Trump told a Kansas radio station on Friday: “It will be over soon,” adding that any deal must guarantee “they will never have a nuclear weapon.” Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Friday with revisions to a proposed agreement, Reuters and CBS News reported, citing sources.
Background
Shipping through the strait, which carried about a fifth of the world’s energy supplies before the war, has fallen sharply since fighting began in late February, CNBC reported. The US says it has cleared mines from the main transit routes and maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports; the IRGC disputes the mine-clearing claim. See also: IRGC says tankers hit mines.
Sources
Related coverage
All world news →
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say three tankers hit mines near the Strait of Hormuz; Araghchi says Tehran is talking to mediators as Trump plays down Vance letter
The IRGC navy said three tankers caught fire after hitting mines on an 'unauthorised' route, and Iran's regular navy reported a fourth. None of the ships was named. UKMTO said a vessel that sank off Oman's Khasab was a dhow. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was in contact with mediators on its seven-day plan, and Donald Trump said a letter from JD Vance to Iran was about medical supplies.
Trump says the US could end the Iran war 'very quickly' or let it 'wither'; UN envoy Waltz disputes FT account of his remarks
President Donald Trump said he was weighing whether to finish the war with Iran or let it wind down. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the US blockade of Iranian ports could be kept up for the foreseeable future, but rejected a Financial Times portrayal of his remarks. An Iranian naval commander said US forces had moved away from the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say seven vessels were hit in the Gulf and threaten US bases; Trump says Iran is 'making up fake hits'
The IRGC Navy said four ships transferring oil were struck and three hit mines near the Strait of Hormuz, without naming them, and warned that continued US escorts would extend the conflict to US bases. President Donald Trump accused Tehran of inventing the attacks.
Iraq shuts major border crossing with Iran for 'security review' as US reportedly presses Baghdad; tanker hit off Oman
Iraq closed the Al-Sheeb crossing, known in Iran as Chazabeh, to passengers and trade until further notice, an Iraqi border official said. Two Iraqi political sources told AFP that Washington was pressing Baghdad to close more crossings. Separately, the UK maritime agency UKMTO said a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar says US-Iran negotiation is 'ongoing'; Iran's armed forces chief says Tehran will not wait for US midterms to respond to any attack
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said both sides were engaging and warned that unchecked escalation could spread beyond the region. Iran's top military officer said any new US attack would be answered without waiting for the November elections.
Iran says two tankers hit mines in Strait of Hormuz as it offers seven-day plan to reopen the waterway
The Revolutionary Guards said the tankers used a route Iran had not authorised. Iran's foreign minister said a reopening proposal was passed to Washington through Qatar.
