Strait of Hormuz: Escalating Attacks and Volatile Shipping Traffic

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated over the past 48 hours, with three targeting incidents recorded, including two involving an oil tanker and a vessel of unknown cargo type, after they were struck by unidentified projectiles, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations. Meanwhile, the United States announced the disabling of a ship that violated the maritime blockade.

While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the targeting of two oil and gas tankers in the Strait of Hormuz while attempting to cross an “illegal route,” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that its forces disabled a bulk cargo carrier on Saturday, accusing it of circumventing the maritime blockade imposed on Iran.

CENTCOM noted that it targeted the cargo ship after its crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to circumvent the ongoing blockade against Iran.

Data from the Strait of Hormuz monitored by the Al Jazeera Open Source Unit showed that at the time of the incident, the ship was approximately 27 nautical miles (50 kilometers) from the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. An analysis of its track revealed it was heading to cross the strait before increasing speed and reversing course.

The ship did not provide destination or departure data while underway, but its vessel data records indicated it was operated by a China-based company.

Also on Saturday, an oil tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile while exiting the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire on board.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported receiving a report that an oil tanker en route to exit the Strait of Hormuz was struck on its port side by an unidentified projectile, which ignited a fire on the vessel.

This came hours after the IRGC announced an explosion on a supertanker after it struck a mine while attempting to cross an “illegal route” in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian state television quoted the IRGC Navy as saying the tanker intended to exit through an unauthorized route and had disabled its navigation and positioning systems.