Hormuz crisis: 68 attacks hit commercial vessels during six-month Iran war

From August 25, the Strait of Hormuz has been the primary battleground in the six-month conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel. An International Maritime Organization (IMO) report confirms 68 attacks on commercial vessels in the region, averaging one incident every 2.6 days. These attacks resulted in at least 20 deaths, 35 injuries, and one missing seafarer or port worker.

About half of the attacks targeted tankers, while 20% were container ships and 15% bulk carriers. The UK Maritime Trade Operations classified 47 of the incidents as attacks. Notably, Liberia-flagged vessels faced the most attacks, with 13 incidents, followed by 10 each from Panama and the Marshall Islands. Iran-flagged vessels were involved in four incidents.

The frequency of attacks fluctuated throughout the war. From February's war onset until a peace framework was reached in mid-June, an incident occurred on average every 2.3 days. This period accounted for 16 deaths and 19 injuries, with attacks occurring throughout the Gulf, east and west of Hormuz, and off the coasts of Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE.

As peace talks continued, the attack rate halved to one incident every 4.6 days on average. No deaths, injuries, or missing persons were reported during this time. All incidents during this period occurred off Oman's coast near the strait's narrowest point, a route Iranian authorities did not authorize.

Since talks broke down, attacks have returned to near pre-talks levels, occurring on average every 2.8 days. Four seafarers or workers were killed, 16 injured, and one reported missing during this period.