Ship attack reports near Hormuz reach record high as oil exports slow
Attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz have reached a record high, with 12 ships targeted in a single week. The surge in violence has slowed oil exports and prompted increased protection efforts from US forces.
Why it matters
The instability in this critical maritime chokepoint poses a significant threat to global energy security and international trade.
By Joshua Cheetham , Thomas Copeland and Alison Benjamin , BBC Verify Published 15 minutes ago The number of ships that have reported being attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz has hit a record high, BBC Verify analysis of data from a UK maritime agency shows.
Twelve vessels were attacked between 5 and 11 October - the largest number of weekly strikes reported to the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency since the US-Israeli war with Iran began. The previous week saw 10 ships reporting attacks.
Six of the vessels were struck last Sunday, according to the UKMTO - a one-day high. So far this week, there have been four reported attacks.
As the number of strikes has risen, the recovery in oil shipments through the strait seen last month has slowed, industry data suggests.
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