2 oil tankers attacked in the last 48 hrs near Hormuz as Iran steps up maritime pressure: US responds

Two commercial tankers were attacked within 48 hours near the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran increased maritime pressure, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC). The attacks followed persistent surveillance, harassment, and attempts to disrupt shipping in the region. The first incident involved the oil tanker Burgan, which reported a security incident while passing through the waterway and later anchored about 1 nautical mile northwest of Jazirat Um Al Ghanam.

The second incident, UKMTO 124-26, occurred when another tanker was struck by three unknown projectiles while exiting the Strait, about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman. Despite no reported casualties or environmental impact, authorities are investigating the matter. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been involved in continued activities, including UAV overflights, targeted surveillance, and occasional VHF radio hailing.

The attacks are significant as they involve both inbound and outbound commercial traffic, highlighting the ongoing danger to vessels navigating the Strait, which is the world's most crucial oil chokepoint. Shipping levels are below normal, with only a few vessels transiting in each direction during the period covered by the JMIC assessment.

The Strait normally handles around one-fifth of global oil consumption, making any disruption a significant threat to energy markets and global supply chains. The US-Iran conflict has escalated, with the US striking Iranian positions on Larak Island, which posed a threat to shipping. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drone strikes at American military positions.

The recent tanker attacks raise concerns that the conflict may increasingly involve commercial shipping itself.