The Strait of Hormuz has seen a record surge in ship attacks, with 12 vessels reporting incidents between October 5 and 11, according to BBC Verify's analysis of data from the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). This marks the highest weekly strike count since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began, surpassing the previous week's 10 reported attacks. Six of these vessels were struck in a single day, last Sunday, with four more attacks reported this week.
The rise in attacks has coincided with a slowdown in oil shipments through the strait. Industry data indicates that daily oil exports dropped to 12.6 million barrels on October 13, down from 15 million at the end of September. This is significantly lower than the pre-war baseline of 17 million barrels per day. Experts suggest that Iran is targeting ships to assert greater control over the waterway, particularly as the US military has increased its escort of tankers through the strait.
Iran has expanded its attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels further away, including near the coast of Gulf Arab states and in the Gulf of Oman. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that some ships were carrying contraband and taking unauthorized routes. Despite the attacks, the US military's Central Command stated that commercial traffic continues to flow through the strait with coordinated protection from US forces and regional partners.
Two crew members remain missing after a drone strike on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker Petro Dolphin, which caught fire near the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. Eleven Indian seafarers were rescued, but the fate of the missing crew is unknown. Another vessel, the container ship GFS Pride, sank after being struck by an unknown projectile in the strait, with all 21 crew members safely evacuated. The IRGC released footage of the sinking ship, alleging it was carrying contraband and taking an unauthorized route.