Hormuz Strait Attacks Spark 'Severe' Security Threat in Middle East

The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has raised the security threat level for the Middle East Maritime Region to 'severe' due to a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Between September 28 and 29, at least four maritime safety incidents occurred involving oil tankers. On September 28, one tanker was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a small fire that was quickly extinguished. The next day, three more tankers were hit by unidentified projectiles, with two of the crews unharmed.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which serves as one of JMIC's core information-sharing partners, issued an advisory regarding the incident. Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority confirmed that several oil tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz over the past days, with three of them owned or rented by the United Arab Emirates.