Attacks in Strait of Hormuz reach highest level since start of war

Since the onset of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have reached their highest level since the war's inception, with 23 incidents recorded since the start of October, nearly double the average monthly attacks. Ten vessels were hit in or near the strategic passage on Sunday, the highest number of attacks in a single day since the war began, according to security data from Vanguard, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the UK's maritime agency, UKMTO.

Four vessels were targeted on Tuesday, bringing the total to 23 attacks in just over a month. Two seafarers are reported missing, and a container ship reportedly sank following recent attacks. Merchant ships using the vital route have been the primary target since March, when Iran retaliated against US-Israeli strikes on its soil.

The attacks have disrupted the typically bustling shipping lane, which is crucial for exporting oil and other goods from Gulf nations. Twenty-three attacks have been logged since October, almost double the typical monthly count since the war's start. The US claimed on Saturday it had struck an Iranian cargo vessel as part of its embargo on Iranian ports, though the incident was not recorded by the IMO.

The recent surge in energy exports, which nearly returned to pre-war levels at the start of October but have since declined, may be contributing to the increased attacks, as suggested by Vanguard analyst Barun Gupta. Gulf oil flows have been recovering, with traffic through Hormuz nearing 80% of pre-war levels despite the ongoing conflict.

The uptick in attacks provides Tehran a means to demonstrate its ability to disrupt the recovery and impose costs on commercial shipping and global energy markets, Gupta told AFP. Trump's promise not to launch further attacks on Iran before the US midterm elections could also be a factor, giving Iran a perceived opportunity to increase pressure with a lower risk of US military escalation.

As of now, 24 seafarers have died as a result of incidents near the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict, as per the IMO.