Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed as tanker attacks mount
Iranian forces are said to control the waterway, and ships have been struck near it, with at least 12 attacks reported in one week. A supertanker was reportedly hit by a mine on Oct 17.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
This story is no longer being updated. It reflects reporting up to .
What happened
Iran's military says the Strait of Hormuz stays closed to uncoordinated traffic, and ships are being attacked in and around the waterway. Iranian officials have tied any easing of restrictions to respect for Iran's rights, and US forces remain in the region. The latest development is a report that a supertanker struck a naval mine in the strait, causing an explosion and fire.
Why it matters
Oil prices have climbed, with U.S. crude topping $100 as attacks escalated. Conflicting shipping figures make it hard to establish what is happening in the strait.
Timeline
- Oct 5-11: UKMTO recorded 12 reports of attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 14: A chemical tanker carrying nine Indian seafarers was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania.
- Oct 16, 12:38 PM ET: Iranian military officials reiterated that the strait remains closed to uncoordinated traffic.
- Oct 16, 1:15 PM ET: U.S. crude oil rose above $100 as Iran escalated its attacks in the strait.
- Oct 17, 12:18 AM ET: Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a supertanker struck a naval mine in the strait, causing an explosion and fire.
Coverage
- 24 Indian seafarers safe after tanker incidents in Strait of Hormuz, Romania (The Tribune)
- Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) on X (x.com)
- Indian shipping official says a crude oil tanker was targeted by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz; official… (Newsquawk)
- Iranians recover new iPhones floating in Strait of Hormuz (Yahoo News)
- Container ship attacks escalate in Strait of Hormuz (freightwaves.com)
- Hormuz Attacks Escalate as Two Ships Sink and Shipping Traffic Slows (wwd.com)
- Two Ships Sink Near Strait of Hormuz as Attacks on Container Vessels Escalate (Yahoo News)
- Iran cleric hails forces for targeting ships in Strait of Hormuz (News.az)
- Iran Escalates Attacks, Sinking Two Cargo Ships Near Strait of Hormuz (NewsCord)
- Iran attacks on Hormuz shipping cut traffic and lift oil prices
- Ship attacks in Strait of Hormuz push oil near five-month high
- Mines and attacks in Hormuz keep shipping under threat as Iran warns
- Unidentified projectiles hit tugboat off Strait of Hormuz
- Mines and attacks in Hormuz leave ships trapped as talks stall
- Iran keeps Hormuz reopening offer open as tanker hits mine
More from World
- Iran attacks on Hormuz shipping cut traffic and lift oil prices
- Rubio visits India to discuss trade and Venezuelan crude
- Second possible Chinese drone mothership spotted near Guangzhou
- China's clean energy exports rise as Iran war boosts demand
- US sanctions five Chinese firms over AI trade secrets theft
- Modi marks Dussehra in Delhi, urging India to defeat enemies