The U.S.–Israeli war on Iran has rapidly spread beyond land and air strikes into the maritime domain, threatening one of the world’s most critical energy routes the Strait of Hormuz.
Roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass through the narrow channel linking the Gulf with the Arabian Sea. Since the war began on February 28, repeated attacks on commercial vessels have disrupted shipping traffic and raised fears of a prolonged maritime crisis.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that ships passing through the strait could become targets as the conflict escalates.
According to maritime reports and shipping authorities, at least 15 vessels have been attacked or damaged between March 1 and March 11, marking one of the most intense periods of maritime disruption in the Gulf in decades.
Timeline of Attacks
March 1 – Three Ships Hit
The first wave of attacks occurred just days after the war began.
Marshall Islands–flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM was struck by a projectile off the coast of Muscat, killing one crew member.
Gibraltar-flagged bunkering tanker Hercules Star was hit northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, causing a fire that was later extinguished.
A third vessel, the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight, was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman’s Kumzar area. The crew was evacuated.
March 2 – Strike Inside Bahrain Port
The U.S.-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative was struck by two projectiles while docked in the port of Bahrain. The attack caused a fire and forced the crew to abandon the vessel.
March 3 – Two Ships Damaged Near Fujairah
Two commercial vessels sustained damage about 7–10 nautical miles off the UAE port of Fujairah.
The Marshall Islands tanker Libra Trader and Panama-flagged bulk carrier Gold Oak both reported minor damage after being struck by projectiles.
March 4 – Container Ship Abandoned
Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was struck near the northern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The attack caused a fire in the engine room and forced the crew to abandon the vessel.
March 5 – Explosion Near Iraqi Port
Crude tanker Sonangol Namibe was hit by an explosion while anchored near Khor al Zubair.
Initial assessments from Iraqi security sources indicated the ship was targeted by an Iranian explosive-laden remote-controlled boat.
March 6 – Tugboat Targeted
A tugboat assisting the damaged Safeen Prestige was struck by projectiles roughly six nautical miles north of Oman while conducting salvage operations.
March 7 – Suspected Drone Attack
Maritime authorities reported a suspected drone attack about 10 nautical miles north of Jubail. Most of the crew from the targeted vessel were evacuated.
March 11 – Four Ships Attacked in a Single Day
The most intense day of attacks occurred on March 11.
Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire and forcing the crew to evacuate.
Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor damage after being hit northwest of Ras Al Khaimah.
Marshall Islands bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was also struck northwest of Dubai.
Two fuel tankers Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros were attacked near Iraqi waters, prompting Iraqi authorities to halt operations at key oil ports. One foreign crew member was reported dead.
Analysis: A Maritime Strategy of Economic Pressure
The pattern of attacks suggests a deliberate Iranian strategy to disrupt global trade without directly confronting Western naval forces.
By targeting commercial shipping near key Gulf ports and the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran appears to be weaponizing maritime chokepoints that are vital to global energy flows.
The attacks are already affecting shipping insurance premiums, tanker routes and oil markets. Many vessels are rerouting or delaying transit through the Gulf, raising fears of supply disruptions in both oil and liquefied natural gas.
If attacks continue, global trade through the Gulf could face sustained disruption potentially triggering a broader energy and shipping crisis reminiscent of earlier tanker wars in the region.
For now, however, the rising number of vessel attacks underscores a central reality of the conflict: even without closing the Strait of Hormuz outright, repeated strikes on shipping can severely destabilize the global energy system.
With infoormation from Reuters.
