Iran has warned that merchant ships switching off their identification and tracking equipment during what it deems unauthorised passages through the Strait of Hormuz will be treated as hostile, raising the stakes for vessels navigating one of the world’s most dangerous stretches of water.
The warning comes as fresh details emerge of a wave of attacks on Sunday that extended beyond tankers to containerships.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued four retrospective alerts on Monday covering three tankers and a containership struck on October 11, bringing the day’s reported total to six.
An unidentified projectile struck the boxship as it entered Hormuz. A crude tanker, product tanker and another tanker were struck during outbound transits. Vessel identities and the extent of damage were not immediately disclosed.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), meanwhile, claimed to have attacked a VLCC attempting to transit without permission, releasing footage purportedly showing the fire-damaged, 298,800 dwt Al Maqam, owned by ADNOC Logistics & Services. ADNOC has declined to comment. It remains unclear whether the purported strike was among those reported by UKMTO or represents another incident.
Two Indian seafarers remain missing after Sunday’s drone strike on the Nicaragua-flagged Petro Dolphin off Sohar, Oman. Nine crewmembers were rescued.
The latest violence follows Saturday’s American airstrike against the Panama-flagged Ocean Molica in the Gulf of Oman, with Washington accusing the vessel of attempting to breach its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
UKMTO has now recorded at least 18 reported attacks across the region this month, as the widening conflict increasingly threatens merchant ships beyond the tanker trades.
Follow Us
Sam Chambers
Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
Newsletter
Read Next
October 13, 2026
Two more ships hit off Bulgaria
October 13, 2026
French marines swoop on former Sovcomflot tanker in the Indian Ocean
October 13, 2026
Panagiotidis reveals stake in Trafigura-backed VLCC owner
October 12, 2026