The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz worsened over the weekend, as UK Maritime Trade Operations reported more tanker attacks. There was also an incident where Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened a vessel, instructing it to turn back or face an attack.
These new reports contribute to a rise in attacks on commercial ships in the Strait. However, delayed reporting makes it hard to determine the exact number of incidents.
On Sunday, UKMTO issued three “time-late” warnings about tankers hit by unknown projectiles.
One warning involved an LPG tanker that was reportedly struck while entering the Strait at 1716 UTC on October 4. A second warning was about a crude oil tanker, which was hit at 1907 UTC the same day.
UKMTO also noted that another crude oil tanker was hit above the waterline during its transit on October 3, although they did not provide the time for this incident.
Since this third report coincided with the timeframe of other documented tanker attacks, it is unclear whether it is a new incident or relates to one already reported by UKMTO and the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC).
This uncertainty highlights the challenges of accurately assessing real-time events in the Strait, where many attacks only come to light hours or days later.
JMIC’s advisory from October 4 confirmed four tanker attacks between October 2 and October 3. These incidents, labeled UKMTO incidents 147-26 to 150-26, occurred as vessels were passing through the Strait, with JMIC stating that attacks on the Omani side of the Strait were ongoing.
In one incident, a drone reportedly entered a tanker's exhaust stack and crashed into the engine room, causing a small fire and temporary power loss. Another tanker was struck on its side, lost power, and drifted briefly before being assisted by tugs towards Fujairah. A third vessel also lost propulsion after being hit by a projectile.
Fortunately, no crew injuries were reported in these four incidents.
IRGC Threatens Incoming Tanker
A separate advisory from UKMTO mentioned another way that pressure is being applied to shipping.
The captain of a tanker about 11 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, reported being contacted by the IRGC while entering the Strait. UKMTO stated that the vessel was ordered to turn back or risk being targeted, and the captain complied.
While this encounter didn’t lead to an attack, it illustrates how Iranian forces are using threats to control commercial shipping movements in the Strait.
JMIC has warned that IRGC attacks, attempted attacks, and harassment are ongoing. This includes UAV flights, targeted surveillance, and VHF communications with merchant vessels. These activities show Iran’s intention to exert pressure on ships in vital transit routes.
These attacks follow a noticeable rise in reported incidents last week, indicating that the risk to vessels in the Strait remains high, despite a significant U.S. naval presence and reduced commercial traffic.
Additionally, UKMTO reported that a tanker around 60 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, Yemen, observed several explosions near the vessel on October 4. The crew was safe, and there was no environmental damage reported. This incident occurred near the Bab el-Mandeb and is unrelated to the attacks in Hormuz.
The latest reports highlight a troubling trend: the full extent of attacks on commercial shipping may only be understood after the events occur.