Iran's attacks on tankers in Strait of Hormuz hit new peak
Tankers in the Strait of Hormuz (photo: Getty Images)
Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have reached their highest level over the past week since the start of US military action against the country, Reuters reports.
Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
According to maritime security sources, the number of attacks on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz reached its highest level over the past week.
According to the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), the strait continues to see:
- Attacks,
- Attempted attacks,
- Drone harassment,
- Surveillance and hailing over VHF radio by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"These actions continue to demonstrate Iran's intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels," JMIC said.
According to three maritime security sources, at least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied petroleum gas and gas-oil tankers occurred around the Strait of Hormuz during the week from September 28 to October 5.
It was the highest number of attacks in a single week since the start of the US war with Iran on February 28, the sources said.
Separate data collected by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency responsible for shipping, showed nine incidents involving vessels during the same week.
In particular, India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that 12 crew members were injured in an attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker On Peace as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
On the night of October 2, an unidentified projectile struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire on board.
In addition, Iran said in late September that it was allegedly ready to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. The main conditions for this are an end to US military pressure and the lifting of the blockade on port areas.
