Hormuz Under Fire: Four Tankers Hit as Iran’s IRGC Escalates Threats
Five separate incidents reported in 48 hours, including a tanker fire and an IRGC threat 11 nautical miles off Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed five maritime security incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on October 5, including three delayed reports of attacks that occurred on October 3 and 4.
The most recent attack took place at 1637 UTC, when a tanker’s crew reported being hit by an unidentified projectile. The strike caused a fire in the engine room, which the crew was actively fighting when UKMTO issued its alert. No injuries or environmental damage were reported at the time.
Multiple Tankers Struck in Recent Days
UKMTO’s delayed reports revealed two additional attacks on October 4. At 1716 UTC, an inbound liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker was struck by an unknown projectile. Less than two hours later, at 1907 UTC, a crude oil tanker suffered a similar attack. The agency did not disclose the extent of the damage or whether any crew members were harmed in either incident.
Brent Crude
An earlier attack, reported on October 3, involved a crude oil tanker that was hit above the waterline. UKMTO did not specify the exact time of this incident, leaving uncertainty about whether it was a separate event or linked to another reported attack.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) had previously documented four confirmed tanker attacks between October 2 and 3. In one case, a drone entered a vessel’s funnel, causing a small fire and a temporary loss of power. Another tanker lost propulsion after being struck and required tug assistance to reach Fujairah. JMIC noted that attacks were continuing along the Omani side of the strait.
IRGC Threatens Commercial Vessel
In a separate incident on October 5, an inbound tanker was contacted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) approximately 11 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman. The IRGC ordered the vessel to reverse course, warning it would be targeted if it proceeded. The tanker’s master complied, altering its route to avoid further confrontation. Authorities are investigating this incident alongside the recent attacks.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces continue to enforce a naval blockade against Iran, which resumed on July 14. On October 5, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported redirecting the 130th commercial vessel since the blockade’s reinstatement. Over the past 12 weeks, CENTCOM stated that three vessels refusing to comply with instructions were disabled, while another 13 were destroyed for either violating the blockade or being linked to the IRGC’s shadow fleet.
The recent surge in attacks and threats has raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region. Authorities have not identified those responsible for the projectile strikes, but the pattern of incidents suggests heightened risks for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
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