A surge in ship attacks near the Strait of Hormuz has reached a record high, with 12 vessels reporting attacks in a single week.
What happened
According to data from a UK maritime agency, the number of ship attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz has increased significantly, with 12 vessels struck between October 5 and 11. This is the largest number of weekly strikes reported since the US-Israeli war with Iran began.
Six of the vessels were attacked on a single day, October 11, marking a one-day high. So far this week, there have been four reported attacks. The attacks have resulted in disruptions to oil shipments, with the recovery in oil exports through the strait slowing down.
Experts believe that Iran is behind the attacks, aiming to assert greater control over the waterway as the US military increases its presence in the region. The US military's Central Command has stated that despite the attacks, commercial traffic continues to flow through the Strait of Hormuz with coordinated protection from US forces and regional partners.
The attacks have resulted in casualties, with two crew members missing after one of the attacks on October 11. The Nicaragua-flagged tanker Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone, resulting in a fire on board. Eleven Indian seafarers were rescued, but two are still missing.
