Iran says 7 oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as fears grow of a return to war

Seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight after being hit by Iran or striking naval mines, Tehran said Thursday, a markedly high number as tensions rise over concerns about a return to all-out war. Iranian state television reported the claims about the latest attacks on ships, which the Associated Press couldn't independently confirm. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight after being hit by Iran or striking naval mines, Tehran said Thursday, a markedly high number as tensions rise over concerns about a return to all-out war.With days before a close election in Israel in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could lose power, and before next month’s U.S.

midterm election in which war-linked high prices have sparked voter anger, there are concerns that U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran could resume.“Netanyahu wants to attack Iran, that’s not even a question,” Danny Citrinowicz, a researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies and a former Iran specialist in Israel’s military and intelligence services, told The Associated Press.He accused Israel of rushing into another round with Iran without revamping its strategy. A clear Netanyahu victory in the Oct. 27 election means an attack is almost guaranteed, he said.Main opposition candidates are likely to focus on domestic issues first, but Citrinowicz said he believed the region is on the way toward "another kinetic escalation.”Iran repeats threat to attack U.S.

bases in the regionIranian state television reported the claims about the latest attacks on ships, which the AP couldn't independently confirm. The report cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, which again threatened to strike U.S. military bases in the region if the U.S.

keeps helping to guide commercial ships through the strait.The report didn't mention casualties. Iran still asserts control over the waterway, a central point of leverage in any talks with the U.S. over the war.October has had the most reported attacks on commercial shipping since March in the war's opening weeks, according to a British military monitor, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

UKMTO didn't report the latest attacks, but it has noted new reluctance by some shippers to report incidents.Oil producers have found ways to keep crude flowing, experts say, but at a mounting cost.Iran says it's open to diplomacy but also self-defenseIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday said that a wary Tehran remains open to diplomacy, but is ready to defend itself.Iran has warned that it has learned important military lessons from the war that began with U.S. In recent days, Tehran has indicat… 27 election means an attack is almost guaranteed, he said.

Main opposition candidates are likely to focus on domestic issues first, but “in general terms, I believe we are on a one way towards another kinetic escalation,” Citrinowicz said.Iran repeats threat to attack U.S. Iran's government says seven oil tankers have caught fire or been damaged in the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions over the prospect of a return to all-out war.