DUBAI — Iranian forces launched attacks targeting Gulf states and commercial tankers as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified on Tuesday, prompting fresh disruption to one of the world's most important energy shipping routes, according to regional authorities, maritime agencies and shipping companies.
The latest incidents included reported strikes on commercial vessels operating near the strait, while Gulf states said they were responding to attacks on their territory and maritime infrastructure. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker was potentially struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, while Greek shipping company Dynacom Tankers said two of its vessels were hit by unknown projectiles near Oman. The circumstances of the attacks have not been independently verified.
The escalation comes as vessel traffic through the strategic waterway has fallen sharply. Shipping data from Kpler showed only a handful of commodity vessels transited the strait at the start of the week, with no very large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers recorded during the period cited. Separately, satellite data and maritime sources indicated ship-to-ship oil transfer activity in the Gulf of Oman had slowed as security risks increased.
The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of global seaborne oil exports, and the latest attacks have heightened concerns over energy supply security and commercial shipping. Maritime authorities and shipping companies continued to monitor the situation, while details of the latest incidents remained under verification.
