Middle East Maritime Region Threatened by 'Severe' Security Level Following Tanker Attacks

A multinational naval advisory body has raised the security threat level for the Middle East Maritime Region to 'severe' following a series of attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), which is led by the US, issued an advisory through its partner the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Thursday. At least four maritime safety incidents involving oil tankers occurred in the Strait of Hormuz between September 28 to 29, according to the advisory.

The attacks involved unidentified projectiles hitting three oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz on September 29, while a fourth tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on September 28. The crew of two of the tankers were unharmed, but the vessels underwent damage assessments.