Two attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a new wave of concern about the safety of shipping through this key maritime corridor. The incidents occurred amid a fragile truce between the United States and Iran, as ship traffic gradually began to resume. According to British sources, one of the tankers caught fire after being hit by a projectile, but no crew members were injured. Analysts warn that the intensity of the attacks could return to the level seen before the temporary lull.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) authority said it received a distress signal from 8 nautical miles east of the Lima area in Oman. The southbound tanker was hit by a projectile on its port side, after which a fire broke out on board. The agency did not name the vessel and did not indicate who was behind the attack, limiting itself to describing the projectile as “unidentified.” At the same time, a U.S. official confirmed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired at least two rockets at commercial vessels, causing serious damage to two of them.
According to news agencies, one of the ships affected was the Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker “Al Rekayyat,” flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. Its cargo capacity is about 216,000 cubic meters, and tracking data show that it has been widely operating in the Arabian Sea off the coasts of India and Pakistan. There is a gap in the records: its last recorded position near India was about 18 days ago, which could make it difficult to reconstruct its full route at the time the attack occurred near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
Another version of the incident points to a second vessel that was damaged overnight—a Saudi oil tanker, which is currently under investigation. This information aligns with Reuters data that after an attack on a gas carrier near Oman, a Saudi crude tanker was also reported to have been affected. The incidents highlight the vulnerability of transit routes and raise the question of whether current security measures are sufficient to prevent a repeat of similar attacks.
As for shipping, Reuters reported that on Monday six supertankers carrying about 12 million barrels of oil transited the Strait of Hormuz, as well as two chemical tankers, a car carrier, and a container ship—all associated with Japan. However, other sources noted that over the weekend several vessels turned back, and two changed course, moving away from the Omani route toward a path closer to Iran. A representative of the Pakistani government called the attacks “unexpected” after the peace agreement, saying that the gas carrier “Al Arish” returned due to threats and that Pakistan is now negotiating security assurances.
On the political front, Axios, citing a U.S. official, said the IRGC fired at least two rockets that caused significant damage but no casualties. According to him, the United States will, “with a high probability,” carry out retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the U.S. would either reach an agreement with Iran or “finish the mission.” Tensions are rising: since March 1, restrictions were reintroduced following the framework agreement of June 17, and now companies are worried about returning ships to Omani routes—shifting the balance of control at sea away from the most protected routes.
Comments on the news
- What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and what role does it play in Iran’s military and economic life? — The IRGC is an elite military and political formation created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the regime. It controls missile programs, nuclear infrastructure, and participates in regional conflicts (Syria, Yemen, Lebanon). In the economy, the IRGC manages major enterprises in construction, energy, telecommunications, and the banking sector, giving it enormous influence.
- Why is the Strait of Hormuz considered one of the most strategic locations for global oil supplies, and which countries depend on its security? — About 20–30% of the world’s seaborne oil passes through the strait (approximately 17 million barrels per day). Its stability is critical for Asian countries (China, India, Japan, South Korea) and for Gulf exporters (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq). Any disruption in the strait leads to a sharp spike in oil prices and a global energy crisis.
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