LONDON, Oct 8 — Attacks on tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz reached their highest weekly level since the Iran war began, according to maritime security sources tracking incidents, as Gulf producers stepped up exports.
Attacks, attempted attacks and harassment activities, including drone overflights, surveillance and radio communications using very high frequency (VHF) channels by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, have persisted in the strait, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said in a note on Sunday.
"These actions continue to demonstrate Iran's intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels," the JMIC said.
At least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers were recorded around the Strait of Hormuz between September 28 and October 5, according to data from three maritime security sources that analysed incidents based on information received from the area.
That marked the highest number of attacks in a single week since the US war with Iran began on February 28, the sources said.
Separate data compiled by the UN's shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), showed nine incidents involving vessels during the same period.
Maritime sources said the UN body generally takes longer to verify and officially record incidents.
The closest comparable period was the week of July 13, when eight incidents were recorded, according to separate IMO data.
Gulf oil exports exceeded pre-war levels for about half of September, shipping data released on Monday showed, although tanker attacks and logistical constraints continue to cast uncertainty over the sustainability of higher export volumes.
India's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that 12 crew members were injured after an unidentified projectile struck the Panama-flagged oil tanker On Peace as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
