Hormuz tanker attacks hit highest weekly level since Iran war began

Attacks on tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz reached their highest weekly level last week since the US war with Iran began, according to maritime security sources tracking incidents (Reuters).

In the week of 28 September to 5 October, there were at least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers around the strait, according to data from three maritime security sources who analysed incidents based on information received from the area. The sources said it was the highest number of attacks in a single week since the war began on 28 February.

The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said in a note on Sunday that attacks, attempted attacks and harassment — including drone overflights, surveillance and VHF radio hailing by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards — had persisted in the strait. “These actions continue to demonstrate Iran’s intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels,” the JMIC said.

Separate data from the UN’s International Maritime Organization showed nine incidents involving vessels in the same week; the UN body tends to take longer to verify and officially record incidents, maritime sources say. Its closest comparable week was 13 July, with eight incidents.

Gulf oil exporters topped pre-war levels for about half of September, shipping data showed on Monday, though attacks and logistical constraints cloud the outlook for sustained higher flows. India’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that 12 crew members were injured after an unknown projectile struck the Panama-flagged oil tanker On Peace while it was passing through the strait.