Six Strikes in One Day: Hormuz Tanker Attacks Hit Record Pace
UKMTO reports six attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen an unprecedented surge in maritime attacks, with six incidents reported on October 11 alone, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The Royal Navy division disclosed four previously unreported strikes, adding to two already confirmed earlier in the day.
The attacks targeted a mix of vessels, including an outbound tanker northeast of the Musandam Peninsula, a container ship at the strait’s eastern entrance, and two tankers near the peninsula’s northern end. A product tanker was also hit northwest of the area. While crews in all cases were reported unharmed, details such as vessel names, exact times, and precise locations remain undisclosed.
Iran’s Role and Escalating Tensions: Attacks
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed responsibility for at least one of the incidents, releasing footage of an attack on the UAE-owned VLCC Al Maqam (IMO 9732577). The tanker had sailed with its AIS transponder switched off for 52 days, a move Iranian state media described as deliberate non-compliance with warnings. The IRGC issued a statement warning that “any cooperation by commercial vessels and oil tankers with the US military in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf will face our decisive response.”
The timing of the IRGC’s claimed strike and its connection to the UKMTO reports remain unclear. However, the broader pattern of aggression has raised alarms, with over 20 suspected Iranian attacks recorded in the past month.
Casualties and Industry Impact
The attacks have not been without human cost. On October 11, the Indian government confirmed a strike on the product tanker Petro Dolphin off Sohar, Oman, which left two seafarers missing. Nine crew members were rescued, and a search-and-rescue operation is underway, according to Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Earlier incidents further highlight the escalating risks. On October 10, a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile north of the Musandam Peninsula, sparking a fire that was later contained. Ships anchored at Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, reported unusual VHF communications from Iranian forces, urging vessels to relocate. Another attack on October 9 off Sharjah, UAE, also resulted in a fire, though no injuries were reported.
The frequency of these strikes has begun to disrupt shipping routes. Consultancy Vanguard Tech identified a Korean-operated vessel hit at the strait’s eastern end on October 11, noting that while the crew was unharmed, the damage was significant. With ballast voyage traffic into the Gulf of Oman slowing, industry analysts warn of potential disruptions to global oil flows if the situation persists.
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