Iran says Hormuz stays shut until US meets its terms · Supertanker reported hit by mine · Russian drones kill 4 overnight in Ukraine
Risk stays high into Wednesday, Oct 21. Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until Washington accepts its terms, its Revolutionary Guard reports another tanker hit by a mine, and Russia launched another large overnight drone attack on Ukraine.
Middle East: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect talks with the U.S. continue through Pakistan and Qatar, and that Iran has offered a seven-day plan under which the strait would fully reopen on the sixth day. He said Iran will not send its enriched uranium abroad. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of crude exploded and caught fire after hitting a mine on a route Tehran considers unauthorized, and said its mines have halted three tankers. None of the ships has been named or independently confirmed. Kpler counts at least 18 vessel attacks in the past two weeks, and LSEG analysts warn Iran is now targeting tankers in the Gulf of Oman too. The Pentagon confirmed the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are headed to the region, due by the end of November.
Saudi Arabia/Yemen: Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh on Tuesday, after a brief civil-defense danger alert and two blasts heard in the capital. Riyadh's main airport remains closed after the Oct. 10 attack that killed 13. Britain says Royal Air Force jets will fly defensive patrols over Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine/Russia: Russia launched 186 drones and Iskander-K cruise missiles overnight. Ukraine's air force downed or jammed 150 drones, but hits were recorded at 27 locations. A drone struck a 24-story apartment building in Kyiv and killed two people, an elderly couple was killed near Kharkiv, and a university building in Kremenchuk was set on fire. At least nine people were killed across Ukraine over the past day.
Energy/U.S.: Brent rose to about $110 a barrel Wednesday after touching nearly $112 Tuesday, its highest in five months, and WTI
Sources
- The National — Araghchi says Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until US agrees to Iran's terms (Oct 21)
- Gulf News — Iran rejects US terms as tanker explodes near Hormuz (Oct 21)
- Malay Mail — Iran says naval mines hit three tankers in Strait of Hormuz (Oct 21)
- Jerusalem Post — USS Theodore Roosevelt heads to Middle East amid Iran tensions (Oct 20)
- Asharq Al-Awsat — Coalition says intercepted ballistic missile targeting Riyadh (Oct 20)
- AFP — Houthi attacks undermine Saudi Arabia's economic ambitions (Oct 20)
- AP — UK expands military support for Saudi Arabia against Houthis with defensive air patrols (Oct 20)
- Ukrainska Pravda — Air defences down 150 drones as Russia launches 186 UAVs and Iskander-K missiles (Oct 21)
- Euromaidan Press — Russia struck a 24-story block, a university and warehouses overnight (Oct 21)
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance — Brent near 5-month high on Middle East supply fears, US inventory drawdowns (Oct 21)
- Axios — Suspicious letters target Congress, election offices before 2026 midterms (Oct 20)
- National Hurricane Center — Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook (Oct 21)