New Wave of Attacks Hits Tankers and LNG Carrier in Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf

A tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles in the Persian Gulf late Sunday, marking the latest in a series of attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz that have left vessels damaged, triggered onboard fires and forced the evacuation of 25 seafarers.

According to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the latest attack occurred at 2347 UTC on November 1, approximately 72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia.

The tanker was traveling southeast when two unidentified projectiles struck its port side. All crew members were accounted for, and no environmental damage was reported. UKMTO did not identify the vessel or provide details on the extent of the damage.

The attack followed another incident earlier Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz, where the master of a merchant vessel reported receiving a Mayday call over VHF Channel 16 from another ship that had reportedly been struck by an unknown projectile.

UKMTO issued Warning 191-26 for that incident, which occurred at 1509 UTC. The identity of the vessel, extent of damage and condition of its crew remain unknown.

The two incidents add to a growing series of attacks that have increasingly threatened commercial shipping throughout the Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

Oman Evacuates 25 Seafarers

The Royal Navy of Oman confirmed Friday that it had evacuated 25 crew members from the Panama-flagged tanker RITI after the vessel was attacked and caught fire near the Musandam Peninsula.

The evacuation was carried out in coordination with Oman’s Maritime Security Centre, with the rescued seafarers receiving medical care.

According to the Joint Maritime Information Center’s November 1 advisory, RITI was struck by an unidentified projectile on October 29 while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, Oman. The strike caused a small fire and loss of propulsion.

The advisory also identified another tanker, LOUISE 1, that was attacked October 29 approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab.

In that incident, a small boat reportedly approached the tanker and attached two explosive devices to its hull above the waterline. The resulting explosions caused an engine-room fire and temporarily disabled the vessel.

The crew was reported safe, and the tanker subsequently continued its voyage.

A third tanker, the VLCC ARZANAH, was also struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz on October 28. The vessel sustained damage, although its crew was reported safe.

Qatar Condemns Attack on LNG Carrier

The violence has also extended deeper into the Arabian Gulf.

Qatar’s state-owned LNG shipping company Nakilat confirmed that its LNG carrier AL MAYEDA was struck by unidentified objects while transiting the Gulf on October 30.

JMIC identified the incident as an attack approximately 40 nautical miles south of Iran’s Lavan Island and reported that the strike caused a fire onboard.

Nakilat said there were no injuries or environmental damage and that the vessel remained safe and operational.

In a statement issued November 1, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a serious threat to maritime navigation and global energy security.

Qatar said it reserved the right to take necessary measures under international law to protect its ships and crews, while authorities investigate the circumstances and identify those responsible.

The ministry also warned of the potential environmental consequences of targeting energy carriers, particularly for the Gulf’s marine environment and regional water security.

Maritime Security Threat Remains Severe

In its latest advisory, JMIC maintained its SEVERE threat assessment for the Strait of Hormuz, warning that further deliberate attacks were highly likely.

The center recorded 18 confirmed attacks in the Strait since October 6 as of its November 1 assessment, before the two latest UKMTO warnings were incorporated.

JMIC also warned that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps activity continued to include surveillance, UAV overflights, radio hailing and pressure on merchant vessels to use Iranian-controlled transit routes.

Commercial traffic remains significantly below prewar levels. According to JMIC, 119 U.S.-facilitated transits were recorded between October 29 and 31, while approximately 490 vessels were waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz as of November 1.

The latest attacks underscore the continuing risks facing merchant vessels even as U.S. naval forces coordinate shipping movements through the strategically important waterway.

With tankers and LNG carriers now being targeted both inside the Strait and farther into the Arabian Gulf, the security threat extends beyond the narrow shipping corridor itself, raising further concerns for global energy supplies and regional maritime operations.