US-Iran conflict intensifies in the Strait of Hormuz, tankers are targeted

While the tension in the conflict between the USA and Iran has been escalating rapidly in recent days, mutual attacks in the region are drawing attention. The US military had previously announced that it had destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf region in a retaliatory attack. CENTCOM stated that the attacks were a "response to the Revolutionary Guard's recent unsuccessful attack" against a US warship with ballistic missiles.

After the USA announced that it destroyed oil tankers, Iran announced that it targeted US military facilities in Jordan and some ships in the Gulf. The Revolutionary Guard Army announced that two US Navy warships, USS Delbert D. Black and USS John Paul Jones, were targeted with ballistic missiles. It was claimed that the destroyers were hit and both ships were damaged. It was also reported that 10 ships trying to pass through the 'restricted area' in the Strait of Hormuz, with the encouragement and support of the US army, were also targeted. In CENTCOM's statement, it was stated that "No warship belonging to the US Navy was hit. All attack attempts were unsuccessful." The statement stated that US forces destroyed 10 Iranian tankers in the last week alone and said, "These ships were part of a multi-billion dollar shadow network that financed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Iran cannot defend them."

They dropped anchor!

Following the attacks, the already blocked Strait of Hormuz came to a halt. According to AA, Iranian medium-sized oil tankers continue to wait on the coast of Bandar Abbas city in Hormozgan Province. It was observed that there were serious deformations, including rust, on the surface of the tankers that had been sitting motionless for a long time. There are also some shipwrecks in the region that sank as a result of US attacks. It was noteworthy that all of the ships located approximately 10 miles offshore from Bandar Abbas were anchored and none of the ships moved.

On the other hand, the Revolutionary Guard Army announced that it would create a 'restricted zone' in the waters outside the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US blockade of Iran. It was reported that a part of the "restricted zone" to be created within the scope of the new regulation will start from the Chabahar area and cover the routes of the Oman Sea and the Arabian Sea.

Both the intensification of attacks on tankers in Hormuz and the developments in Yemen and Saudi Arabia caused an increase in oil prices.

'The war will end after the election'

US President Donald Trump made a statement to the press at the airport on his way from Washington to Texas. While answering a question about when gasoline prices in the USA will drop, Trump pointed to the Congressional midterm elections to be held on November 3. Noting that they are not currently in any active negotiations with Iran, Trump said, "I think the war will end right after the elections because they can't hold on any longer."

Conflicts expand in Yemen

Conflicts intensified in Yemen after the Iranian-backed Houthis attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. In Yemen, conflicts between government forces and Houthis, causing civilian casualties, continue in 4 provinces of the country. In recent days, military conflicts have increased on many fronts, especially in Taiz, Al-Jawf and Al-Bayda provinces, and Houthis' positions are being targeted with air strikes.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated that the Houthis, whom he described as a terrorist organization, "opened a door that they cannot handle" and emphasized that his country will not hesitate to defend itself against any attack and will use all available means to protect its interests. UN Special Representative for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned that the Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia threaten to expand the scope of the conflict and expose civilians to serious risks.