Attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz have reached a record high in October 2026, raising fresh concerns about global oil supplies, maritime security and escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.
According to maritime data, 22 ship strikes have been reported since the beginning of October, almost double the monthly average recorded in previous months. The latest incidents include attacks on oil tankers and container ships, as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims control over the strategic waterway.
The IRGC said an oil tanker caught fire after striking a sea mine while travelling along what it described as an unauthorised route. The supertanker was reportedly carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil. Iran’s navy also reported that another tanker caught fire and became immobilised in the Gulf of Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported 12 vessel attacks during the week ending Friday, the highest weekly total since the Iran war began on February 28. Ten incidents occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining attacks were reported in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Eight affected vessels were oil tankers and four were container ships.
The reported incidents included one vessel sinking, nine sustaining damage, three crew members being injured and two people being reported missing. Authorities have warned that the actual number of attacks could be higher because some vessels have not reported incidents.
Of particular concern is the reported shift towards attacks near the coast of Oman, including routes increasingly used by US forces and commercial vessels to avoid Iranian strikes. UKMTO also reported an attack involving a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat.
Iran has warned that its operations could extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz and demanded the withdrawal of US forces from the region. Iranian officials argue that regional security would improve if foreign forces left the area.
However, US Central Command chief Brad Cooper rejected Tehran’s claim of control, stating that the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and its regional partners.
The escalating maritime crisis threatens one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Continued disruption could affect crude oil transportation, increase shipping and insurance costs, and place additional pressure on global energy markets.
With Iran and the United States presenting competing claims over maritime security, the situation remains a major concern for international shipping, oil-producing countries and the global economy.
