Iran-Israel war latest: supertanker burns in Hormuz as Vance hints at split with Trump
KARACHI: Saturday’s Iran Israel war latest developments brought two flashpoints at sea and division inside Washington’s top leadership.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said a supertanker carrying over two million barrels of crude oil caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine. Britain’s maritime agency separately reported a tanker hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat off the Saudi coast.
Supertanker with two million barrels on fire in Hormuz
“A supertanker in violation of regulations, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and attempting to pass illegally through the Strait of Hormuz, struck a mine, triggering an explosion and a fierce fire,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by AFP.
The Guards said the vessel had tried to cross “with US support” with all tracking systems deactivated. The statement gave no exact location and did not identify the vessel.
The claim matches Dawn’s report on the Hormuz mine strike, described as the second such incident in recent days. Iran demands Tehran’s authorisation for transits; the US and allies insist on freedom of navigation.
RPG attack reported off Al Jubayl
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a tanker was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat on Friday, about 78 nautical miles (144km) northeast of Al Jubayl.
The tanker’s master reported damage to the aft port quarter and all crew were safe. In a separate incident, an unknown projectile struck a tanker about 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl; all crew were evacuated safely with no environmental damage.
Iran Israel war latest: Vance hints at disagreement with Trump
US Vice President JD Vance suggested in an interview aired on Friday that he may have disagreed with President Donald Trump over the war with Iran.
“Even if you disagree with him on that one issue, you can have that disagreement. And I think I have had that disagreement,” Vance said on a political talk show hosted by former White House spokesman Sean Spicer, according to Anadolu.
Asked about conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, a former Trump ally who has criticised the war, Vance said Carlson was “very, very angry” over it, but still defended Trump’s wider record.
Araghchi backs political process on Saudi-Houthi conflict
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told an OIC meeting in Baghdad that Tehran supports an “inclusive and comprehensive political process” as the “only practical and sustainable way” to end the Saudi-Houthi conflict, AFP reported.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, credited the country’s schools and universities for its missile and defence capabilities, IRNA reported.
Houthis release 159 fighters
Yemen’s Houthis released 159 pro-government fighters under an amnesty declared after their major offensive last month, AFP reported. The ICRC confirmed the release, saying it had helped with interviews, health checks and transport.
Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed five nationals convicted of terrorism-related offences, according to Reuters.
What the Hormuz disruption means for Pakistan
The Strait of Hormuz normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil consumption, and Pakistan, which imports the bulk of its crude oil and petroleum products, is deeply exposed to disruption there.
That exposure shows in pump prices: petrol was Rs387.40 per litre and diesel Rs400.35 on October 1, before the next review took petrol to Rs398.96 and diesel to Rs395.72. With Brent crude at $110 a barrel for the first time since May, pressure on the next review will be hard to ignore.
Pakistan has already felt knock-on effects, from PIA suspending flights to Riyadh after Houthi strikes to the Houthi attacks on Saudi airports that killed three people. Diplomats keep searching for an exit: Putin has offered help to end the Iran war, while Trump has ruled out an attack on Iran before the US midterms.
Reporting by Dawn’s live blog on the Iran war and Anadolu.
FAQ
What happened to the supertanker in Hormuz?
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it struck a naval mine and caught fire with over two million barrels of crude oil aboard.
Where was the RPG attack reported?
About 78 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl. The aft port quarter was damaged; all crew were safe.
What did JD Vance say about the Iran war?
He suggested he may have disagreed with Donald Trump over the war while defending the president’s broader record.
What did Iran’s foreign minister say at the OIC?
Abbas Araghchi said Tehran supports an “inclusive and comprehensive political process” to resolve the Saudi-Houthi conflict.
What does the Hormuz disruption mean for Pakistan?
Pakistan imports most of its crude oil, so shipping threats push up global prices and pressure domestic fuel price reviews.
