Iran Claims Seven Ships Hit in Persian Gulf, Threatens US Bases

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced Thursday that seven ships were damaged in incidents within the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC's navy also issued a direct warning to the U.S. military, stating that continued American operations in the region could provoke a broad Iranian response against U.S. bases in the Middle East.

According to the IRGC, four ships allegedly involved in illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf were identified and tracked on Wednesday. These four vessels were reportedly hit simultaneously and caught fire. The IRGC did not provide names or details to independently verify this report. In a separate statement, the IRGC claimed three other ships were damaged by naval mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. It remains unclear if these are new incidents or related to earlier reports.

These announcements follow claims made by the IRGC on Tuesday that three oil tankers were damaged by mines while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz through routes Tehran deems illegal. The IRGC stated two tankers caught fire, and a third, reportedly carrying over two million barrels of oil, was hit by an explosion after its navigation systems were disabled. However, independent verification for at least some of Iran's claims regarding mine damage has been lacking. Maritime security sources reported damage to vessels in the area, but described impacts from unidentified projectiles or missiles rather than mines, and the identities of some tankers mentioned by Iran were not released.

The incidents occur amid an escalation of attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks. Iran has stated it will increase activity against ships it claims violate its navigation restrictions, in response to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and intensified economic sanctions. The Strait of Hormuz is strategically vital, with approximately 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passing through daily in 2025, representing about 25% of global seaborne oil trade. Disruptions to shipping traffic could impact global energy supplies and oil prices.

The Iranian warnings come as reports emerge in the U.S. of joint Israeli-American plans for further attacks on Iran following the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. Both countries are reportedly preparing for the possibility of additional military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone systems, though no decision to launch an attack has been made. The IRGC's new threat highlights the danger that renewed conflict with Iran might extend beyond its borders and missile launches toward Israel, potentially targeting American bases in Gulf states and crucial global shipping lanes.