Tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz reach highest level since war began

London – Agencies: Attacks targeting oil and gas tankers in the Strait of Hormuz reached their highest level in a week since the outbreak of the war on Iran, signaling a new escalation in risks to navigation and energy flows through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Reuters, citing three maritime security specialists, reported that at least 12 attacks targeted oil tankers, liquefied natural gas carriers, and liquefied petroleum gas carriers in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz between September 28 and October 5, marking the highest weekly toll since the start of the U.S. war on Iran on February 28. The incidents included actual attacks and attempted attacks, as well as drone surveillance and flights, and the summoning of ships via radio communications by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The Joint Maritime Information Center, led by the U.S. Navy, confirmed the continuation of these activities in the strait, viewing them as evidence of Iran’s desire to maintain its presence on major shipping routes and continue pressuring commercial vessels using them. According to data from analysis firm Kpler, only seven ships transited the strait on Tuesday, the lowest number since July 23. Kpler analysts Emmanuel Belostotrianu and Yoy Torikata wrote in a memo issued on October 6 that crude oil volumes transiting the struit fell by 27% from the wartime peak recorded the previous week, dropping to around 10.1 million barrels per day. In contrast, oil exports from the Gulf of Oman coast and the Red Sea rose to 6.7 million barrels per day, more than double pre-war levels, partially offsetting the shortfall caused by reduced supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.