Maritime security sources counted at least 12 attacks on oil and gas tankers in the week of 28 September to 5 October, the most in a week since the war began on 28 February.
Attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz reached the highest weekly total of the Iran war in the week of 28 September to 5 October, maritime security sources told Reuters. At least 12 attacks hit oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers, the sources said, the most in a week since the war began on 28 February.
Separate data from the International Maritime Organization recorded nine vessel incidents in the same week. Reuters said the UN body takes longer to verify incidents. The closest comparable IMO week was 13 July, with eight incidents.
The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said on Sunday that attacks, attempted attacks and harassment, including drone overflights, surveillance and VHF hailing by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, had persisted. It said the actions showed an intent to assert presence on transit lanes and keep pressure on ships.
The count comes as Gulf exporters pushed shipments higher. Reuters said Gulf oil exporters topped pre-war levels for about half of September, while attacks and logistical constraints cloud the outlook. Bloomberg reported that UK Maritime Trade Operations had logged nine attacks in the waterway already this month.
The figures are source counts, not a single official incident list. No named ship casualty from the latest week was confirmed in the Reuters dispatch used here.
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- The Joint Maritime Information Center said the actions show Iran's intent to maintain pressure on transiting vessels.