U.S. Secretary of State Rubio told reporters on Oct. 17 the U.S. military’s Starshield system has not been made available to Ukraine and usage arrangements remain under discussion. Responding to Ukrainian claims of restricted satellite communications

Lebanese President Aoun said a Lebanese military delegation will demand in Tampa meetings with Israel and the United States that Israel stop escalating military operations.

Conflict Update: 1. UKMTO reports oil tankers attacked in waters near Saudi Arabia. 2. Iranian Navy claims increasing number of oil tankers damaged due to "illegal" passage through the Strait of Hormuz. 3. Houthi rebels claim Saudi Arabia launched 53 airstrikes against Yemen in 24 hours. 4. Yemeni Houthi rebels claim to have shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter. 5. Iranian armed forces open fire to intercept vessels "illegally" passing through the Strait of Hormuz. 6. Iranian Revolutionary Guard claims two supertankers struck mines and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. 7. Saudi-led coalition: Intercepted and destroyed four drones in Riyadh and eastern and southern regions. Peace Negotiations: 1. Iranian Foreign Minister reiterates seven-day reopening plan: next steps depend on the United States. 2. Trump reiterates that the war with Iran will end soon and gasoline prices will fall. Other Updates: 1. Egyptian President states he will provide protection for Saudi Arabia. 2. The Speaker of the Yemeni Parliament urged Egypt not to get involved in the war. 3. The Houthi rebels in Yemen released 159 detainees. 4. The foreign ministers of Egypt and Iran met to discuss the Middle East crisis. 5. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister stated that oil prices would surge further if the Strait of Hormuz blockade continued. 6. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that violence against European diplomats was "unacceptable." 7. US media reported that Iran provided the Houthis with target location and intelligence to assist their attacks on Saudi Arabia. 8. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Houthis have reportedly established joint command centers in Lebanon and Iraq. 9. Pakistan temporarily closed its border trade routes with Iran; the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that border crossings and exchanges are temporarily suspended. 10. A spokesperson for the US Central Command stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to navigation, and approximately 97% of transit vessels were not hit by Iran.