Court documents show US held secret talks with Iran on deporting Iranians

▲ Escalating

Iran reports tanker fires in Hormuz as indirect talks and US strikes continue

On Thursday Iranian forces said five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in several separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, amid fears of a new US attack. Officials also said Iran is reviewing "concrete proposals" on its nuclear programme, which the report links to Qatar-led diplomacy. Court documents unsealed Thursday show the Trump administration held secret talks with Iran on deporting Iranians while the war continued. Earlier in the week President Trump confirmed a US strike on an Iranian anti-aircraft site, and the US reportedly struck Qeshm Island.

• On Wednesday Iran's Revolutionary Guard said four vessels hit naval mines on a prohibited route in the Strait of Hormuz. This is the IRGC's own account.
• Supreme Leader Khamenei said US policy toward Iran will not change despite Republican midterm losses, while Iranian officials welcomed the result.
• South Korea will send patrol aircraft and a bomb-disposal team near Hormuz to protect shipping, and rules out military intervention.
• The US Treasury sanctioned Indian and Turkish firms over alleged help for Iranian tankers.