Two More Tankers Struck as Maritime Attacks Spread Across Persian Gulf

Two more tankers have been struck by unidentified projectiles in separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz and in the northern Persian Gulf, adding to a growing series of attacks on commercial shipping as maritime security conditions across the region continue to deteriorate.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported Wednesday that a tanker was struck approximately 11 nautical miles west of Bukha, Oman, at 0145 UTC on October 21. The impact sparked a fire aboard the vessel, which has since been extinguished.

The tanker is now at anchor, with all crew members reported safe and no environmental damage reported.

In a separate incident, the master of another tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Al Faw, Iraq, at 1830 UTC on October 20. UKMTO received the report after the incident occurred.

All crew members were reported safe, with no damage to the vessel or environmental impact reported.

Neither vessel has been publicly identified, and UKMTO did not attribute responsibility for either attack.

The latest incidents come amid a sharp increase in attacks against commercial shipping, with violence increasingly extending beyond the Strait of Hormuz into the wider Persian Gulf.

In its October 18 advisory, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) maintained its SEVERE threat assessment for the Strait of Hormuz, warning that deliberate attacks remained highly likely.

The assessment followed a particularly violent period in which UKMTO recorded 12 attacks on commercial vessels during the week ending October 16, including 10 in the Strait of Hormuz, one in the Persian Gulf and one in the Gulf of Oman. JMIC reported 153 confirmed maritime security incidents across the region since March 1, a figure that predates the latest attacks.

Recent incidents have also demonstrated the growing danger to vessels operating away from the strait’s main shipping lanes.

On October 16, two tankers were attacked near Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia, including one struck by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat. Another tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile, forcing its crew to evacuate.

On October 18, a tug operating approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khor Fakkan, UAE, was struck by two projectiles. The vessel sustained damage but was able to continue its voyage, with one minor crew injury reported.

JMIC subsequently raised the threat level for the wider Persian Gulf to SUBSTANTIAL, citing the expanding pattern of attacks and growing electronic navigation interference.

The advisory also warned that vessels remaining stationary for extended periods, particularly those broadcasting AIS signals, could face increased targeting risks.

The threat is becoming particularly concerning around major anchorages. As of October 18, JMIC counted approximately 217 vessels anchored near Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, with another 166 in waters stretching from Dubai and Jebel Ali toward Ras Al Khaimah.

The latest attacks also follow renewed Iranian claims that commercial vessels have struck sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

On October 17, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claimed that two supertankers had struck mines in the waterway. JMIC said there was no substantiation for those claims.

Although JMIC continues to warn mariners about possible mining activity in and around the strait’s traffic separation scheme, the two latest UKMTO warnings describe strikes by unidentified projectiles, not confirmed mine explosions.