Seven Oil Tankers Damaged in Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Regional Conflict

Seven oil tankers sustained damage overnight Thursday after being targeted or striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Iranian state television.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy stated that four of the vessels caught fire while transferring oil, while three others were immobilized by naval mines.

If confirmed, the incident represents the highest number of vessels damaged in the waterway in a single day since the conflict between the United States and Iran began on February 28.

The escalation has pushed Brent crude prices toward $110.85 a barrel, as global emergency oil stocks remain at their lowest levels in decades.

Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that the economic infrastructure of nations supporting the war could face retaliation if Iranian assets are attacked.

"One cannot consider Iran’s oil facilities, ports, and shipping as legitimate targets, but at the same time assume that the economic infrastructure of the other side that supports this war will remain immune forever," said Rezaei.

The Iranian report did not provide information regarding the flags of the damaged tankers or potential casualties among the crews.

The Revolutionary Guard also issued a warning that any United States efforts to facilitate tanker transit through what it termed illegal passages could lead to strikes against American regional bases.

While Iranian state media reported the damage to seven vessels, Al Jazeera reported that Washington has dismissed the claim regarding the seven tankers.

United States missions in West Asia have issued security alerts to American citizens and businesses, citing the potential for further attacks by groups supported by Iran.

It remains unclear how the international community will respond to the transit disruptions or whether the reported damage to the vessels can be independently verified.