Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reported that four oil tankers caught fire and exploded while travelling through unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Al Jazeera on October 31, the incidents occurred amid heightened military tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent another escalation between Iran and the United States. Oman's navy also confirmed rescuing 25 crew members from a Panama-flagged commercial vessel struck near Musandam. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump claimed that the war with Iran would end soon, while insisting that Washington must secure guarantees preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. A Qatari delegation has returned to Iran for further discussions, and Pakistan's military has expressed cautious optimism about its mediation efforts. Continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz poses substantial risks to maritime transportation, international energy markets and diplomatic negotiations aimed at containing the regional conflict./ Al Jazeera
