Iran calls US talks “meaningless” · Fight for Bab el-Mandeb · B-1s pulled from UK

Risk stays high into Tuesday, Oct 6. Iran’s president calls talks with Washington meaningless as tanker strikes in Hormuz continue, a second chokepoint fight flares at Bab el-Mandeb, and Russia keeps pressure on Kyiv.

Middle East: A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile in Hormuz Monday evening, starting an engine-room fire, and the IRGC turned another ship back. Iran says it targeted 13 vessels in a week; CENTCOM says it has redirected 130 ships under its blockade of Iranian ports. Pezeshkian called talks meaningless, though indirect messages continue. In Yemen, Saudi-backed forces say they retook Mocha and the coast at Bab el-Mandeb; the Houthis claim missile and drone strikes on Riyadh’s airport and an Aramco refinery, and an earlier attack again halted the Saudi East-West pipeline.

Ukraine: Russia launched 205 drones overnight into Monday, with hits at 13 sites. Debris set cars ablaze in central Kyiv after days of strikes on the city’s bridges, and Moscow says it will intensify attacks on the capital.

Europe / US: The US pulled all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in England after reported intelligence of an Iran-backed drone plot; London says the base is safe. Brent sits near $100, easing on recovering Gulf exports and the G7 stock release, but diesel futures remain very tight.

For USL readers: two shipping chokepoints are contested at once, so fuel prices can swing quickly. Keep fuel and winter plans current and avoid panic buying.