In brief
On November 5, 2026, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after attempting to navigate an unauthorized route, and that electronic warfare units seized two U.S. drones. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reiterated that U.S. hostility toward Iran remains unchanged regardless of the results of U.S. mid‑term elections.
IRGC announced on Nov 5, 2026 that two oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after attempting to transit an unauthorized route, and that its electronic warfare units captured two U.S. drones intact. The announcement came amid heightened tensions in the region.
The fire was confirmed by the IRGC spokesperson, who reported that the vessels were attempting a course that bypassed standard navigation routes in the Hormuz Strait. No civilian casualties were reported.
Electronic warfare units also claimed to have seized two U.S. drones during the incident, noting that the drones were intact upon capture. The IRGC has not provided images or further details about the drones.
In a separate statement, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei dismissed the notion that a change in U.S. political leadership would alter Iran’s stance. He said that U.S. hostility towards Iran would persist regardless of election outcomes.
This incident follows ongoing disputes between Iran and the United States over maritime routes and technology exchanges. No U.S. sources have confirmed the drone seizure, leaving the claim as an unverified assertion from Iranian forces.
