Symbolic imageTankers burn in Hormuz as Iran offers two-day reopening on its terms
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say four tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Araghchi says Tehran could reopen the strait within two days if its conditions are met.
UKMTO counted more than 30 attacks on shipping around Hormuz in October, the most in any month since the war began on 28 February and more than double September's total. On Friday, 30 October, an unknown projectile hit a crude tanker leaving the strait, and the Guards' navy claimed that four tankers burned and exploded by Saturday. Politika, citing Iranian media, reports the Guards say the ships used unauthorised routes and struck sea mines. Araghchi told Al Jazeera that a plan now cuts the reopening to two days if the US recognises the route agreed with Oman and the other routes are closed, which he said would allow talks with Washington to resume.
US says strait is secure
US Central Command says over 95 per cent of ships pass safely. Its commander, Adm Brad Cooper, said he saw no Guards vessels during a flight over the strait.
Preparations for another round
Israeli media report that Israel is updating its target lists for Iran, while Trump has yet to decide on a new campaign. The US has 12 destroyers and two aircraft carriers in the region.