Iran’s armed forces have prepared a plan for a possible future confrontation, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said, while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) separately reported four vessel incidents near regional shipping routes from Oct. 16 to 18.
In a Persian-language post on X dated Oct. 18, Rezaei said the military had prepared for a new “adventure” and described its plan as more devastating than conflicts he called the “12-day and 40-day wars.” Tasnim’s English rendering framed the warning around “any U.S.-Israeli aggression.” Press TV rendered another line as saying the plan would not follow rules familiar to Iran’s adversaries. Rezaei gave no timetable or operational details.
Two UKMTO notices concerned tankers northeast of Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 16. In one report, a tanker’s master said a small boat fired a rocket-propelled grenade at 19:22 UTC, damaging the ship’s rear port side. The crew were reported safe. UKMTO said a full assessment of damage and environmental effects was not yet available.
A separate report, submitted late, listed another tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl as struck by an unidentified projectile at 09:00 UTC. Its crew were evacuated and reported safe. No environmental impact had been reported at the time.
A seven-person skiff changed course after an exchange of fire with a liquefied natural gas tanker 140 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen, UKMTO said in an Oct. 17 notice. The skiff fired twice before the tanker’s armed security team responded with two warning shots.
On Oct. 18, a southbound tug northeast of Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, reported being struck by two unidentified projectiles, UKMTO said. The tug was damaged but continued its route, and one minor casualty was reported. UKMTO listed the incident time as to be confirmed.
The maritime notices did not assign responsibility for the incidents or refer to Rezaei’s statement.
