Iran says four tankers caught fire after hitting mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) says four tankers caught fire after striking mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. The IRGC earlier said the ships had used "unauthorised" routes through the strait. Al Jazeera and CNBC both carried that claim.

Deutsche Welle reports that a tanker with a crew of 27 Indians caught fire near Oman after being hit by limpet mines. DW says it is the first known successful use of those explosives in the waterway since the U.S.-Iran war began. DW's report does not say who placed the mines. It does not say whether this is one of the four tankers Iran named.

Al Jazeera reported earlier that Oman rescued 25 people from a burning oil tanker in the strait. No report says whether that is the same vessel as the one DW describes. Al Jazeera also quoted Iran as saying three tankers were halted on "unauthorised routes." That differs from the four-tanker count, and the reports do not explain the gap.

The head of U.S. Central Command says Iran's navy is destroyed and the main Hormuz routes are clear, according to CBS News. The reports do not say how that was verified. Al Jazeera reports that President Trump said the war on Iran will "get wrapped up soon."

CNBC reports that the mine claims and Houthi attacks have raised fears of renewed strikes. It says the U.S. is reportedly weighing a new military campaign after the midterm elections.