Iran says 7 tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz, and other
Mideast news
[October 22, 2026]
Iran's state television reported that seven oil tankers were either
struck by attacks or hit naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz overnight
Thursday, possibly the largest single-day number of vessels damaged in
the waterway since the Iran war started on Feb. 28.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East. Read our full coverage
here.
7 oil tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz, Iran's state television
reports
Iran’s state television reported that seven oil tankers caught fire and
were damaged overnight Thursday after being targeted or striking naval
mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
If verified, it would be the largest single-day number of vessels
damaged in the waterway since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28 when
the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran.
Quoting a statement by the Revolutionary Guard's navy, the Iranian
report said that four of the tankers were transferring oil when they
were targeted and caught fire. Another three were damaged and
immobilized when they hit naval mines.
The report didn't provide details about possible casualties or the flags
of the tankers.
The report also warned that the Revolutionary Guard may target U.S.
bases in the region if the U.S. tried to allow oil tankers to transit
through other parts of the strait.
The Revolutionary Guard had routinely targeted U.S. bases in Gulf
countries during the war.
Yemen's government warns Houthi rallies could be targeted
Yemen’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that Houthi rallies and
mobilization programs will be considered legitimate military targets and
warned residents in Houthi-held areas against taking part.
The announcement was shared in a social media post and is considered a
major escalation against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels as well as
civilians living in areas under their control.
Deliberate attacks on civilians could amount to a war crime.
Rallies and what Houthis call “cultural courses” are one of the
Iranian-backed group’s main tools for mobilization of supporters and
fighters.
The Defense Ministry statement said such assemblies are used by the
Houthis to mobilize children for combat.
[to top of second column]
|
Death toll from strike on Saudi airport rises to 2
Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority said Thursday that the
number of people killed in an attack on the King Fahd International
Airport has risen to two.
The dead are a Saudi citizen and an Indian national who was living
in the kingdom, according to a statement. Another eight people
suffered injuries in the attack that occurred late Wednesday.
Saudi authorities didn't say who was responsible for the attack or
provide any details about the attack reported earlier Thursday. The
Houthi rebels issued no statement.
King Fahd Airport on the country's east near Bahrain and Qatar has
been attacked previously amid a wider wave of Houthi missile and
projectile strikes targeting major airports in Saudi Arabia.
Disabled Syrian man killed in Israeli forces raid
A civilian with special needs was killed during an Israeli forces
raid Thursday on the village of Jamla in southern Syria’s Daraa
province, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.
It did not give more details about how the disabled man was killed.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for
comment.
After the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in a
lightning rebel offensive in December 2024, Israel seized control of
a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and has occupied it
since.
Jamla isn't inside the Israeli occupied zone but Israeli forces
often make incursions into areas outside the zone.
UN official calls for economic pressure on Israel
The U.N.’s special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza urged
Indonesians to use their economic clout to pressure Israel into
stopping what she called unlawful actions in the Palestinian
territories.
Francesca Paola Albanese told the World Conference on Creative
Economy 2026 that a “just economy” should abide by an economic
boycott, divestment and sanctions led by Palestinians.
She said that means avoiding using services or purchasing goods that
boost the Israeli economy.
The special rapporteur also criticized Indonesia’s participation in
the U.S.-created Board of Peace.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, has
long been a strong supporter of Palestinians.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
