A record number of ships have reported attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, according to BBC Verify analysis of data from the UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency. Twelve vessels were struck during the week of 5 to 11 October, exceeding the previous week's ten reported attacks. Six ships were hit on Sunday alone, the highest single-day toll recorded since the conflict began.
The rising number of strikes is already affecting oil shipments through the vital waterway. About 12.6 million barrels per day moved through the strait on 13 October, down from 15 million at the end of September and well below the pre-war baseline of around 17 million barrels daily, according to trade intelligence firm Kpler. The slowdown follows a temporary recovery in September driven by increased US military escort operations through the region.
Experts say Iran has widened its campaign beyond the strait itself. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has announced strikes will not be limited to the Hormuz area and deployed a new formation across the broader region. Attacks have been reported as far as 500 kilometres from the strait, near Qatar and United Arab Emirates waters, according to maritime intelligence firms. The US military said commercial traffic continues with coordinated protection from American forces and regional partners.
Recent incidents include the container ship GFS Pride, which sank after being struck on Tuesday with all 21 crew evacuated, and the tanker Petro Dolphin, which caught fire on Sunday. Eleven Indian seafarers were rescued from the Petro Dolphin, though two remain missing, the Forward Seamen's Union of India said.