Ship Attacks in and Around the Strait of Hormuz Hit Record High Since Beginning of War

Ship attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz during October have surpassed the total number of attacks in March—the most intense period of the war—reaching a record level according to maritime data. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, it was reported that at least five more tanker attacks were reported in the past 24 hours.

According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) data, the latest wave of attacks includes a tanker struck by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat and a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil that caught fire. While the IRGC claimed the ship struck a mine while sailing on an unauthorized route, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that mine-clearing operations were underway in the strait. Meanwhile, the Iranian navy announced that an oil tanker caught fire and was left immobilized in the Gulf of Oman.

In the final week ending Friday, 12 ships were attacked, marking the highest weekly attack count reported since February 28. Ten of these attacks took place in the Strait of Hormuz, one in the Persian Gulf, and one in the Gulf of Oman; eight of the vessels were oil tankers and four were container ships. In the attacks, one ship sank, nine vessels were damaged, three crew members were injured, and two people were reported missing following a drone attack on Thursday.

While it is notable that the aggression has concentrated off the coast of Oman—which the U.S. uses as an alternative route—rather than the Iranian coast, the IRGC navy announced a new form of deployment, stating that the attacks would not be limited to the Strait of Hormuz. A total of 22 ship attacks have occurred since the beginning of October. Although U.S. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper stated that ship transits through the strait continue despite the attacks, data revealed that oil exports declined in October.