IRGC says four tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz, as Trump says war on Iran will ‘get wrapped up soon’.
Senators briefed on Trump’s ‘insane’ plan to restart war on Iran
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the war on Iran has added more than 100 billion Euros ($112bn) to Europe’s energy costs over the past eight months.
Speaking to reporters in Seoul on Friday, he said Germany was coordinating and stepping up diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
“Businesses and consumers in Europe have paid more than 100 billion Euros extra because energy has become more expensive as a result of this conflict,” he said. “We therefore also have an economic interest in bringing this conflict to an end as quickly as possible.”
Merz also appealed for dialogue, saying: “This conflict cannot be resolved militarily.”
Qatar has denied allegations that it interfered in Israel’s elections or “funded any activities intended to influence their outcome”.
A foreign ministry spokesman described the allegations as “ye another disinformation campaign” aimed at dragging Qatar into Israeli political disputes.
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The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis says its air defences have intercepted and destroyed a drone over the kingdom’s southern region.
The claim came hours after the coalition reported downing a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, has again condemned the UAE’s claim to three Iranian-controlled islands in the Gulf, after Canada voiced support for the Emirati position.
“The UAE was established in 1971. Yet, despite the overwhelming historical record, geographical facts and documented evidence concerning Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb, it lays claim to these IRANIAN islands whose history of being part of IRAN stretches back many millennia,” Baghaei said on X.
“Remarkably, Canada’s Prime Minister has chosen to echo this absurd claim!” Baghaei added.
“Is territorial integrity and respect for historical and legal facts a fundamental principle for Canada, or does it matter only when Canada’s own sovereignty is at stake? Does Canada not realize that, in doing so, it is effectively sawing off the very branch on which it sits?”
In a joint statement earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UAE President Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called for an end to the “occupation” of the three islands, which they said violates the UAE’s sovereignty and the principles of the UN Charter.
The UAE was established in 1971. Yet, despite the overwhelming historical record، geographical facts and documented evidence concerning Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb, it lays claim to these IRANIAN islands whose history of being part of IRAN stretches back many… pic.twitter.com/0963yGI7XX
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) October 31, 2026
Oil prices have climbed more than 2 percent to their highest closing levels since late April, as traders braced for a possible escalation in the Iran war after the US midterm elections, according to Reuters.
Brent crude futures for December settled at $117.64 a barrel, up 2.4 percent, after touching a high of $118. US West Texas Intermediate rose about 2.1 percent to $104.12.
Brent ended October 13.6 percent higher, while WTI gained 15.2 percent.
The report came as incidents involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz added to supply concerns. Iran’s IRGC reported four incidents involving supertankers during the day, saying two had hit mines while navigating routes Iranian authorities had declared unauthorised.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in the US.
The pair discussed regional developments, with a focus on recent developments in Yemen and maritime navigation in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, according to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry added that the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and examined efforts to enhance regional security.
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
The IRGC’s Navy has issued statements on four incidents involving supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
It said two of them hit mines late in the day while navigating through a part of the waterway that Iranian authorities have not authorised for passage. Those tankers were carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil each.
Two other tankers were also involved in similar incidents earlier in the day. One of them hit a mine along the southern route that the Iranian side considers unauthorised.
The Iranians are saying that any ship or tanker crossing the Strait of Hormuz should coordinate in advance with the IRGC, particularly with the authorities in charge of controlling and managing the strait.
It sends a strong message to the US that Iran is still in control of the Strait of Hormuz and that it is not about to relinquish that control, despite warnings from the American side. They also challenge repeated claims from the US that the Strait of Hormuz is actually open and that there is no sign of the IRGC Navy there.
Through these actions, Iran is trying to show that is not the case.
Senator Chris Murphy says he has been briefed on Trump’s plan to restart the war on Iran after the November midterms, warning that the proposal is devastating and shatters the US commitment to the rule of law.
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Hello, and welcome to our live coverage of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran.
Stay with us for the latest news and analysis of the conflict and its fallout across the Middle East, including Gaza and Yemen.
You can find our updates from Friday, October 30, here.
The mediation mission comes amid speculation about a potential resumption of hostilities.
Pakistan’s military spokesman warns of ‘powerful spoilers and detractors’ who still believe the conflict serves them.
Incident comes as Iran says three oil tankers were halted while attempting to use ‘unauthorised routes’ to cross Hormuz.
As Houthi missiles strike Aden, residents stockpile food and prepare escape plans, fearing a return to all-out war.
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