By Karim Hammam
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that four oil tankers were destroyed after hitting naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a day after U.S. officials confirmed American military strikes on Iran. The IRGC stated two vessels were still burning and two additional tankers had been seized, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, which said the ships were attempting to transit a prohibited southern route. The BBC has not independently verified the IRGC's claims.
U.S. Strikes and Iranian Response
The reported sinkings follow U.S. strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday, including on Qeshm Island, which the U.S. said were in response to the IRGC firing on an American aircraft. The IRGC also reported that three tankers were destroyed by mines early on Tuesday and that its forces shot down an MQ-9 drone over the strait.
Political Reactions and U.S. Midterms
Iran's top negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, linked the U.S. midterm election results to public opposition to the conflict, posting on X that Americans had "said no to war" and warning Washington not to betray that sentiment. U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged poor Republican results were partly due to the war and rising gas prices but said he did not regret launching it, telling CBS News the conflict would end "when I say it ends." In a Financial Times interview, Trump said he did not consider the situation "really in a war" and downplayed the likelihood of another Israeli attack, while telling Fox News some advisors would "love" a "heavy hit" on Iran but insisting Tehran would never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Stalled Negotiations and Iranian Stance
Talks to end the conflict, triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in February, have been stalled for months. Ghalibaf told parliament Iran "will not surrender" and placed responsibility for preventing war on the U.S., warning of a "new battlefield" if Washington makes another strategic mistake. President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government had pursued dialogue and that "no-one will benefit from this war" if fighting resumes. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to the U.S. attack and says it will only reopen it if the U.S. accepts its peace plan. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the seven-step plan had been condensed and could be implemented within two days if Washington agreed.
