Middle East war: Iran says progress hinges on 7 conditions as Hormuz tankers burn, Riyadh targeted by Houthi missiles

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Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon’s former military planner, admitted disclosing classified information about Iran and Ukraine to two journalists over a year, according to an internal investigation report reviewed by Axios.

The October 29 report supports the substance of the claim, but the alleged admissions remain attributed to investigative records and unnamed officials, not a public guilty plea or court judgment.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Sylvia as director of strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the position known as "J5".

Axios reported that contacts began as early as June 2025 and included Signal communications and a meeting at a diner in Arlington, Virginia.

The investigation report alleged that Sylvia used notes from a classified document to discuss US assistance to Ukraine without obtaining public affairs coordination or clearance.

Axios said Sylvia cooperated with questioning and provided his personal telephone for forensic examination. He did not immediately respond to its requests for comment.

Separately, CBS News and The Associated Press reported that the case had been referred to the Justice Department.

The dismissal comes amid Hegseth’s campaign against unauthorised disclosures, including a Pentagon-Justice Department task force announced in July and restrictive rules governing reporters’ access.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that three oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz through what Tehran described as an "unauthorised" southern route.

The IRGC alleged that the vessels had switched off their radar and navigation systems and ignored warnings from Iranian forces.

However, the three-tanker mine-strike claim has not been independently verified. The Associated Press reported that it could not confirm Iran's account.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), on the other hand, reported that a tanker was hit by a projectile at around 1600 GMT (8pm UAE time) on Thursday (Oct. 29).

Iran's description of the route as "unauthorised" or "illegal" is also its own position, not an independently established determination of the vessels' legal status.

A tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on October 29, prompting renewed maritime security concerns as Iran reported multiple vessels catching fire in the strategic waterway.

The main tanker incident is confirmed by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The agency said it received a report that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile at around 1600 GMT (8pm UAE time) while completing an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz.

There were no reported crew injuries or environmental impact at the time of the initial report. Authorities are investigating.

The incident was reported near Khasab, Oman, although the precise position of the vessel was not publicly specified in the initial account.

UKMTO advised ships operating in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity. UKMTO confirmed the tanker was struck, but did not identify the weapon, establish who fired it or attribute responsibility to Iran.

US envoy Tom Barrack has credited Qatar and Pakistan with helping bring the United States and Iran closer to renewed diplomacy, urging both sides to pause hostilities before tensions escalate further.

Speaking to CNN on Thursday, October 29, Barrack said regional allies had helped create an opening for Washington and Tehran to agree on a process for de-escalation.

“Let’s have a time out. Let’s have a time out, bring temperatures down,” he said, describing the two sides as “very close” to reaching that initial understanding.

Barrack cautioned that a pause would not immediately resolve the conflict but could give the region room to establish its own pace towards a broader settlement.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran’s seven conditions must be agreed upon before progress can be made, adding that a “carrot-and-stick approach” would have no effect on Iran.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said Iran’s conditions had been repeatedly and clearly communicated to mediators.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said on Thursday it had downed two ballistic missiles launched by the Iran-backed group towards Riyadh, soon after AFP correspondents heard explosions in the capital.

"Air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said in a post on X.

Saudi authorities have issued alerts confirming that the danger has passed in Riyadh City, Al-Kharj Governorate and Najran City following earlier phone warnings of a 'hostile aerial threat'.

Saudi Civil Defence also reminded residents that filming, publishing or sharing information about missile and drone interceptions or their impact sites could expose them to legal liability.

Saudi Arabia’s National Early Warning Platform has issued warnings for Riyadh city, Najran and Al Kharj Governorate, according to posts by Saudi Civil Defence on X.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a dhow caught fire following a maritime security incident about 9 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel listed and sank, but local authorities confirmed that its crew had been safely evacuated. UKMTO advised vessels to transit the area with caution and report any suspicious activity as authorities investigate.

Iranian media reported on Thursday that Tehran had received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance but had not yet responded, amid efforts to revive peace talks between the countries.

Tasnim news agency reported that "Iran has received the letter but has not yet responded", while Fars news agency carried a similar account, citing "a source familiar with the matter".

At least four tankers have caught fire after hitting mines while attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's armed forces said Thursday, a day after the US military said it had cleared key routes through the waterway.

"Over the past 24 hours, three violating oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking mines while attempting to pass through the unauthorised southern route of the Strait of Hormuz," Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said in a statement.

The vessels had "switched off all their radar and navigation systems" and disregarded warnings from the IRGC navy, the statement said.

It was not immediately clear when the incidents occurred or which flags the tankers were flying.

Later Thursday, Iran's army reported that another tanker had caught fire east of the strait.

"A tanker that was illegally operating in a restricted and dangerous area east of the Strait of Hormuz was damaged and caught fire after striking naval mines, rendering it unable to move," the army said in a statement carried by state television.

The United States has fired a top military planner, US media reported, in a surprise shake-up as President Donald Trump appears to be preparing to resume large-scale strikes against Iran.

Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed from his role as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, US outlets reported Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.

A spokesperson for the Joint Staff, a top Pentagon body that handles planning and other issues, initially issued a statement that appeared to confirm Sylvia's departure but later withdrew it, saying: "Out of respect for the servicemember and the ongoing personnel process we will not comment further."

Since returning to office early last year, Trump has overseen a purge of top military personnel, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, general Charles "CQ" Brown, whom he fired without explanation in February 2025.

The Arab-Israeli Joint List said Thursday that accusations of election impropriety from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his bloc showed their fear of the Arab community's newfound political clout.

"The Joint List asserts that the campaign of incitement led by Netanyahu and his fascist coalition against the Arab public's vote exposes their fear of its political strength," it said, urging the anti-Netanyahu "opposition camp to stop echoing the lies".

Yemen’s casualty toll reached 9,072 by October 25, including 1,677 deaths and 7,395 injuries, according to a World Health Organisation report. The Health Emergency Operations Centre recorded 559 additional casualties in six days.

Daily casualties averaged 93, down from 168 in the previous report. Marib was the deadliest front, recording 45 deaths among 143 casualties, compared with 34 deaths in Taiz and 21 in Lahj.

Canada’s advisory for Saudi Arabia has urged Canadians to avoid all travel to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, citing a volatile security situation due to ongoing military activity in the region.

In a post on X, Canada in Saudi Arabia advised Canadians considering departure by air to explore flights from neighbouring countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan.

Canadians were also urged to confirm flight availability and entry requirements before travelling.

The United States and Israel are preparing for a possible week-long bombing campaign against Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections, targeting the country’s leadership, nuclear facilities, energy installations and critical infrastructure, even as Gulf countries intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent another major escalation.

While the UAE has called for restraint and political solutions, Saudi Arabia has reportedly urged Washington to give negotiations more time as Qatar leads a last-ditch push for an agreement between Tehran and the Trump administration.

Read more here.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday that three oil tankers had caught fire after hitting mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

"Over the past 24 hours, three violating oil tankers exploded and caught fire after striking mines while attempting to pass through the unauthorised southern route of the Strait of Hormuz," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement.

The vessels had "switched off all their radar and navigation systems" and disregarded warnings from the IRGC navy, the statement said.

It was not immediately clear when the incidents occurred or which flags the tankers were flying.

Israel's far-right national security minister on Thursday called for the arrest of Israeli Arab leaders whose parties made strong gains in this week's election, citing unproven accusations of foreign funding.

Israel's security agency Shin Bet "must order, already this morning, the arrests of the heads of Arab parties suspected of involvement in Qatari money", Itamar Ben Gvir wrote on X.

He was pointing to unproven claims made by several ministers that the parties, who could be kingmakers after neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc secured a majority, took money from Qatar, the energy-rich Gulf powerbroker that has channels to Hamas.

Israelis on Thursday waited for final election results to confirm what they see taking shape: No majority of parliament seats for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, or for the array of parties seeking to unseat him.

Difficult decisions lie in the weeks ahead, including whether some Jewish and Arab parties would team up in a historic alliance, or whether some parties that campaigned on ousting Netanyahu would toss that aside and join forces with the deeply divisive prime minister. While this plays out, Netanyahu remains in charge.

Final results could come as early as Thursday evening after about a half-million absentee ballots are counted from military personnel, diplomats, people in prisons and hospitals, and others. They are not expected to sway the results dramatically.

A vessel has been reported on fire in the Strait of Hormuz, about nine nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

In a warning issued on Thursday, UKMTO said the incident occurred at 3am GMT (7am UAE time).

The master of another vessel reported seeing the ship on fire.

The condition of the crew remains unknown, while details of the damage and any environmental impact have yet to be established.

UKMTO classified the incident as suspicious activity and advised vessels to transit with caution while authorities investigate.

Israel's election authorities are counting outstanding ballots on Thursday after more than 90 per cent of votes were tallied, with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition securing a parliamentary majority.

According to The Guardian, Netanyahu's bloc was projected to win 53 seats, compared with 48 for the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot. Arab-led parties were projected to hold 19 seats.

Both main blocs remain short of the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

The final outcome will depend on the remaining ballots and subsequent coalition negotiations.

US President Donald Trump has denied directing Vice President JD Vance to restart peace negotiations with Iran, saying his contact with Tehran concerned medical supplies.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Vance had sent a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei to explore renewed negotiations.

Speaking to reporters, Trump acknowledged approving the outreach but said it was intended to help Iran obtain medical supplies.

Axios separately reported that Vance's letter stressed the need to address Iran's nuclear programme in any future talks.

The conflicting accounts come as Washington considers renewed military action against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections.

US officials have told several Middle East countries and regional allies to be prepared for potential renewed military action against Iran after next week's midterm elections in the United States - as well as the possibility that Iran will attempt to retaliate against them, according to two diplomats briefed on the matter.

Both of the diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment about the sensitive warnings conveyed by US diplomats and defense officials.

President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on whether to carry out new strikes against Iran, the diplomats stressed. The president, however, has repeatedly said that he is weighing ordering new military action once the critical Nov. 3 elections in the United States are over.

Those threats and the fresh US urgings for allies to prepare for potential retaliation are putting the region on alert that a return to major operations could now be on the horizon.

The White House and US officials declined to comment.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said on Thursday it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the group at the kingdom's eastern region.

"Air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the Eastern Province," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki posted on X.

US Vice President JD Vance has contacted Iran's security chief in a bid to revive peace talks that could head off a renewed American assault on the Islamic republic, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the Journal reported, in a move that one of the newspaper's sources said was directed by President Donald Trump.

The letter - as well as subsequent talks between US and Iranian officials - focused on a possible framework for negotiations rather than specifics of a peace proposal, the Journal said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran was discussing with mediators ways to implement a seven-day plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed," he said in a post on X.

"We remain in close and ongoing contact with intermediaries to review ideas that can ensure implementation of our 7-Day Plan in even less than a week."

The remarks come amid mounting US and Israeli threats of renewed attacks against Iran following their launch of the war in February.

In September, Iran proposed a seven-day plan that it conveyed to the United States through Qatar.

Araghchi said at the time that under the plan, Hormuz would reopen within seven days if "necessary conditions", including a ceasefire across the Middle East, were met.

Iran has also demanded the unfreezing of its assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector, and an end to the US naval blockade.

US news website Axios reported on Wednesday that regional mediators led by Qatar were pushing for "a diplomatic deal" to restart US-Iran talks and prevent the resumption of war after the US midterm elections on November 3.

The report, citing US, Israeli and other regional sources, said the Qataris were trying "to convince Iran to allow UN inspectors to visit its bombed nuclear sites in return for some sanctions relief from the US".

A Qatari delegation visited Tehran on Sunday for talks to review developments including the latest on negotiations, Hormuz and energy supplies, Iran said.

The Israeli army has struck the municipality of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

The strike followed an earlier warning telling residents to open their windows ahead of a large explosion, the agency reported.

Twenty-two Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Wednesday.

Addressing the bi-weekly media briefing, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region and detailed the human toll.

"We remain deeply concerned about the situation," Jaiswal stated during the briefing. "Regrettably, 22 Indian nationals have lost their lives in the conflict zone, including 14 seafarers."

Highlighting the safety of the Indian diaspora and maritime personnel in the Gulf region, Jaiswal emphasised that diplomatic missions are actively maintaining contact with Indian citizens.

"We remain in close contact with our missions and community members there," Jaiswal added.

Providing additional details on casualties across the broader region, the spokesperson confirmed that three deaths occurred within Saudi Arabia as a result of regional instability.

"In Saudi Arabia, three Indian nationals have lost their lives in incidents related to the broader regional tensions," Jaiswal noted.

The Ministry reaffirmed that Indian diplomatic posts across West Asia continue to monitor developments closely to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of Indian workers and seafarers operating in vulnerable maritime corridors.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, met Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, in Amman on Wednesday.

The two discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments, including diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and coordination on regional security and stability, according to a Qatari statement.

Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s full support for diplomatic efforts to find a solution that ensures freedom of navigation and leads to a comprehensive agreement for lasting peace in the region.

Qatar has not presented Iran with a new peace proposal to end the war with the United States and Israel, but only ideas that Tehran considers unacceptable, a senior Iranian official involved in the negotiations told Reuters on Wednesday.

The official said Qatar had presented only “unacceptable ideas and not an offer”, adding that Iran’s position on showing no flexibility over its nuclear programme remained unchanged.

The remarks contradicted an earlier account from another official briefed on the negotiations, who said Qatari mediators had presented a draft peace agreement to Tehran on Sunday.

What happened to Qatar’s proposal?

Iran warned of a devastating economic impact from any new Israeli-led attack, as the votes were counted in an Israeli election that could determine the future of the regional war.

Tuesday's pivotal election gave Israelis a chance to offer a verdict on Netanyahu's right-wing government, amid mounting US and Israeli threats of renewed attacks against Iran following their launch of the war in February.

"Devastating impact on int'l markets of any Israel-instigated military misadventure in Persian Gulf region remains major concern for both gas suppliers and consumers," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X, referring to recent discussions at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Moscow.

Day 242: Iran discusses plan to end war and reopen Hormuz

Day 241: Iran says supreme leader met with security chief

Day 240: 'Entering new path could be considered': Iran tells US

Day 239: Trump warns Iran would trigger ‘death problems’

Day 238: Houthis deny targeting Saudi holy cities Mecca, Medina

Day 237: Iran threatens Gulf internet links if US, Israel attack

Day 236: Iran's Guards threaten to hit US bases