Iran’s state television has reported that seven oil tankers were damaged or caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz overnight Thursday, amid escalating tensions in the strategic waterway.
The report, which cited a statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ navy, said four tankers caught fire after being targeted while transferring oil, while three others were damaged and immobilised after striking naval mines.
If independently verified, the incident could represent the highest number of vessels damaged in a single day in the strait since the Iran war began on February 28, 2026.
Iranian state television did not provide details about possible casualties or disclose the flags of the affected vessels.
The report also warned that the Revolutionary Guards could target American military bases in the region if the United States attempted to facilitate the passage of oil tankers through other parts of the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international shipping route for global oil and gas supplies. Tensions over access to the waterway have intensified as the conflict continues.
Yemen Threatens Houthi Gatherings
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Defence Ministry has warned that rallies and mobilisation programmes organised by the Iran-backed Houthi movement could be treated as legitimate military targets.
The ministry issued the warning in a social media post on Thursday, urging residents in areas controlled by the Houthis not to participate in the gatherings.
According to the statement, the group uses rallies and what it calls cultural courses to mobilise supporters and fighters, including children for combat.
Deliberate attacks on civilians could amount to war crimes, depending on the circumstances and applicable international law.
Death Toll From Saudi Airport Attack Rises to Two
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that the death toll from an attack on King Fahd International Airport has risen to two.
The victims were identified as a Saudi citizen and an Indian national residing in the kingdom. Eight other people were injured in the incident, which occurred late Wednesday.
Saudi authorities did not identify those responsible for the attack or provide further details. The Houthi movement had not issued a statement claiming responsibility, according to the report.
The airport, located in eastern Saudi Arabia near Bahrain and Qatar, has previously faced attacks amid wider strikes targeting major airports in the kingdom.
Disabled Syrian Civilian Killed During Israeli Raid
In southern Syria, a civilian with special needs was killed during an Israeli military raid on the village of Jamla in Daraa province, Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Thursday.
The agency did not provide details about the circumstances of the death, while the Israeli military had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
Israel seized control of a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria following the ousting of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024. Israeli forces have since maintained their presence in the area and have also conducted incursions beyond the occupied zone, according to the report.
UN Official Calls for Economic Pressure on Israel
Separately, the United Nations special rapporteur on the West Bank and Gaza, Francesca Paola Albanese, urged Indonesians to use their economic influence to pressure Israel over its actions in the Palestinian territories.
Speaking at the World Conference on Creative Economy 2026, Albanese called for support for a Palestinian-led campaign advocating boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.
She argued that a just economy should take account of the campaign’s demands amid continuing disputes over Israel’s conduct in the Palestinian territories.
