Iran blames mines for triple tanker explosions

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reported Friday that three oil tankers struck naval mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. One of the vessels, a supertanker carrying over two million barrels of oil, exploded after using an unauthorized route, according to Iranian state media.

The Guard stated that the supertanker was the third tanker to explode that day. It alleged that the other two vessels had switched off their navigation and positioning systems while ignoring radio warnings. Iranian officials did not name the ships or provide details about their crews. The Associated Press could not independently verify these claims.

Oman announced that it had evacuated 25 crew members from a Panama-flagged tanker that caught fire 1.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate. It remains unclear if this incident is connected to the three tankers identified by Iran. Tehran has asserted control over the waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, warning that unauthorized vessels would face destruction.

In Saudi Arabia, the coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels near Mecca. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree denied targeting the holy city, stating that military operations focus on Saudi oil facilities and bases. The United Nations reported that the number of displaced people in Yemen has surpassed 281,000, describing the crisis as spreading.

Diplomatic efforts continued in Tehran as Qatari mediators returned to the city for talks with Iranian officials. The delegation included the Qatari foreign minister and a senior adviser to the prime minister. This visit follows a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Tehran acknowledged receipt of the letter on Thursday but has not yet responded.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished two homes in Hebron belonging to Palestinian gunmen who killed two Israeli soldiers last week. The U.N. humanitarian office said more than 3,000 people were displaced by the subsequent military operation. U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk called the measures collective punishment, a grave violation of international law, and urged displaced residents to return home.