Middle East conflict: Oil remains elevated amid more tanker attacks
Brent crude’s price has remained well-supported amid repeated attacks on oil tankers and commercial vessels attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.
IMAGE: Flags of the US, Iran and Israel. Getty Images
Two more commercial vessels – an oil tanker and a containership – have come under air assaults since yesterday within the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported.
Between 11-14 October, the UKMTO has reported at least nine incidents within the Persian Gulf.
“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the agency said, underscoring the acute threat environment and heightened operational risk confronting commercial ships in the vital maritime corridor.
Tehran is planning to further intensify drone strikes on commercial vessels in the region, in a bid to deploy new tactics in the ongoing conflict, Reuters reported, citing an Iranian official.
The OPEC member has claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has full control over the Strait of Hormuz and any US Navy warships approaching the chokepoint will be sunk.
However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has flatly dismissed these claims, calling them out as false and fabricated.
The US Navy maintains that it exercises firm control of the narrow corridor and routinely coordinates escorts for compliant vessels.
“Just yesterday [13 October] U.S. forces assisted Gulf partners in shipping more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strait,” CENTCOM said on social media platform X.
CENTCOM has had a blockade in place for ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports since 14 July. The operation has redirected 135 commercial vessels, disabled four and boarded two.
The US blockade has kept Iranian crude exports at zero in October, Reuters reported citing energy intelligence platform Vortexa.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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