Gulf states hope US midterm results will curb Iran war

▲ Escalating

Iran reports tanker fires in Hormuz as indirect talks with US continue

On Thursday, Iranian forces said five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, amid fears of a new US attack. Separately, officials say Iran is reviewing "concrete proposals" on its nuclear programme, and the report credits Qatar-led diplomacy. Earlier in the week, Trump confirmed a US strike on an Iranian anti-aircraft site on Tuesday, and the IRGC said four vessels hit naval mines in the strait, which is the IRGC's own account. Indirect talks continue while Iran says the US must lift its naval blockade and meet its demands in full.

• Iran says five tankers and a tugboat caught fire in several Hormuz incidents on Thursday.
• Iran is reviewing nuclear proposals, according to officials cited in the report.
• Khamenei said US policy toward Iran will not change despite Republican midterm losses; Qalibaf said Washington should not attack Iran again.
• The US sanctioned Indian and Turkish firms over alleged help for Iranian tankers, and South Korea will send patrol aircraft and a bomb-disposal team near Hormuz.