Iran's state television reported on Thursday that seven oil tankers were either struck by attacks or hit naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, possibly the largest single-day number of vessels damaged in the waterway since the Iran war started on Feb. 28.
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7 oil tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz, Iran's state television says
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 that rallies in support of Houthi rebels could be targeted
Yemen's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that rallies and mobilization programs by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels 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 Houthis as well as civilians living in areas under their control. Pro-Houthi rallies are regularly staged on Fridays, the Muslim day of prayer.
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 gatherings are used by the Houthis to mobilize children for combat.
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 the night before 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, which occurred late on Wednesday.
Saudi authorities didn't say who was responsible for the attack or provide any details. The Houthis also have not issued any statements.
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 Saudi airports.
A disabled Syrian man is killed in an Israeli forces raid
A civilian with special needs was killed during an Israeli forces' raid on the village of Jamla in southern Syria’s Daraa province on Thursday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.
The report did not give more details about how the man was killed. The Israeli military said in a statement that soldiers had “identified a suspect approaching them and carried out a suspect apprehension procedure.”
“The suspect continued to approach the soldiers, who responded by firing toward him in order to remove the threat,” it said, adding that the incident is under review.
After the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in a lightning Syrian rebel offensive in December 2024, Israel seized control of a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and has occupied it since.
Jamla is not inside the Israeli occupied zone but Israeli forces often make incursions into areas outside the zone.
A 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.
Iran puts new drones on display
Iran’s state television on Thursday showed dozens of military drones it claimed are more powerful and more sophisticated than previous iterations.
The report showed the drones in an underground location, adding that a new version of the “Arash” drone now has a 100 kg (220-pound) warhead - twice as powerful as before.
Iranian Army Chief Gen. Amir Hatami was quoted as saying on the state television's website that Iran has "reached a significant level of maturity in the field of drones and unmanned systems in general” and that more drones will be unveiled in the future.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
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