In a separate development, Iranian state television reported that seven oil tankers were hit by Iranian forces or struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, resulting in fires and damage. The report, attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, did not specify casualty figures. The Associated Press was unable to independently confirm these claims. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British military monitor, noted that October has seen the highest number of reported attacks on commercial shipping since March, although it did not list the specific incidents mentioned by Tehran. UKMTO also reported a new reluctance among some shippers to report incidents, complicating independent verification.
The International Civilian Aviation Organization and other bodies have not issued statements in the provided materials, but the U.S. State Department responded to the Houthi aggression by ordering non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott cited the Houthi attacks on civilian targets as the reason for the withdrawal. In response to the heightened threat, Saudi state oil company Aramco ordered the evacuation of its headquarters in Dhahran, instructing employees to work remotely where possible. Six sources familiar with the matter confirmed the order, noting that Aramco’s headquarters had been damaged in recent attacks.
These events occur against a backdrop of rising tensions in the region. Iran has threatened to strike U.S. military bases if the United States continues to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. is currently deploying a third aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, creating one of the largest American military presences in the region in decades. Analysts warn that a return to full-scale fighting could further endanger civilians and disrupt global energy supplies, particularly with U.S. midterm elections approaching and concerns over high fuel prices. Mediators are attempting to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table, with Iran proposing to end the war and open the strait within a week if the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports.
