Two more tankers have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a series of security incidents involving commercial vessels in the strategic waterway.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an inbound tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while passing through the strait on September 21. Two crew members sustained minor injuries, but the vessel remained under its own power and continued towards its next port. No pollution was reported.
Several hours later, UKMTO reported a separate incident involving an LPG tanker on an outbound transit. The vessel’s master said it had been hit by debris from unknown projectiles. The crew was unharmed, the tanker suffered no reported loss of propulsion and continued its voyage.
Military authorities are investigating both incidents. UKMTO has not attributed either attack to a specific actor.
The incidents bring to at least five the number of reported attacks or security incidents involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz since September 16. A Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) advisory issued on September 20 listed three attacks between September 16 and 18, including an incident in which a projectile penetrated a tanker’s hull and caused a fire.
JMIC continues to assess the security threat in the Strait of Hormuz as severe. Its latest advisory cites continued activity by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including unmanned aerial vehicle overflights, surveillance of merchant ships and VHF communications. However, the centre does not attribute Monday’s two incidents to the IRGC.
