Iran Axis Hits Tankers, Gulf Airports as US Weighs Strikes

President Donald Trump said Thursday, October 22, that there were no talks with Iran and that "something will happen soon," as explosions were reported near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian officials warned of a possible "zero hour" with Israel, according to Gulf News. Trump said the US had "knocked the hell out of" Iran and might act "a little bit further," with action coming "fairly soon." Tehran answered with a threat of its own: American bases, Iranian officials said, were in range.

The New York Times reported that US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for a short, intensive campaign after the midterms. Trump has reportedly not approved the strikes. The president said the US was not negotiating with Iran.

Iran's Proxy Network Reaches Saudi Arabia

The pressure on the Gulf isn't confined to the water. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopened to limited, restricted traffic after closures triggered by security incidents and drone and missile strikes claimed by Iran-backed Houthis. On Thursday, Aramco evacuated its headquarters in Dhahran and the US ordered embassy departures.

Flights have been gutted. Etihad cancelled Abu Dhabi service to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam through Saturday, October 24. Emirates and flydubai also cancelled those routes, though Dubai-Medina flights were still listed. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo suspended Saudi flights until October 24. The US keeps the UAE at Level 3 (reconsider travel). Gulf News said there was no new official UAE guidance suggesting residents change daily routines.

The Houthi campaign against Saudi infrastructure has drawn a response from Islamabad. Anadolu Agency reported that Pakistan's army chief asked Tehran to use its influence to halt Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure. The request tells its own story: even Iran's neighbors treat Tehran as the party that can switch the attacks on and off.

Hormuz: Claims, Mines and Denials

The IRGC warned that continued US naval escorts through what it called "mined waterways" could trigger direct action against American bases in the Middle East and extend the conflict. It said four tankers were hit Thursday while transferring oil and three more struck mines, calling it the largest single-day toll since the war began. The claims could not be independently verified.

CENTCOM said no US Navy warship was struck. US Central Command and American officials dismissed earlier Iranian reports as false propaganda, asserting the waterway remains open. Trump said on Truth Social that Iran was doing all it could to drive up oil prices before the midterms: "They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else."

The markets are pricing in the danger regardless. Early Friday, US crude (WTI) rose to $100.9, Brent to $114.6 and Murban to $114.4. AFP reported Brent near $115 a barrel, with analyst Danni Hewson of AJ Bell citing speculation of renewed US-Israeli strikes after next month's US midterm elections.

The Region Organizes a Defense

As Washington weighs its options, regional powers aren't waiting. Iran International reported that for the first time, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan will meet Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul for security-focused talks, as attacks on ships and regional energy infrastructure continue and oil prices have reached their highest level in five months.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the three members of the Mecca defense pact, will attend. Officials from the three pact countries agreed on August 31 to set up a joint secretariat, and their defense committee decided on October 5 to make forces available for rapid deployment to Saudi Arabia. The four regional countries, known as the R4, have held regular consultations since March. They condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in an October 11 statement.

Egypt's parliament is due to decide on Monday, October 26, three days from today, whether to deploy forces in military support of Saudi Arabia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said a seven-day proposal for restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was conveyed through Qatar, with implementation conditional on Tehran's demands being met. He also said Iran is prepared to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Ansarullah, the Houthi movement whose strikes have shut down Saudi airspace and forced the evacuation of Aramco's headquarters.