Tankers Continue to Burn in the Strait of Hormuz: 37 Ships Attacked in October, the Highest Monthly Total of the War, as IMO Confirms 130 Incidents and at Least 25 Seafarers Killed
Despite market bets on a de-escalation in the Iran war, new evidence has emerged in recent days of strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and on energy infrastructure in the Middle East, Reuters reported on November 10. Data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy showed 37 ships were attacked in the strait and surrounding waterways in October, the highest monthly total since the start of the war, and 10 attacks have been recorded so far in November.
Videos posted on social media on Sunday and verified by Reuters showed the Navig8 Messi, a Singapore-flagged, medium-sized refined products tanker, on fire near the coast of Oman. An image captured by the European Union's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite on Sunday showed a large cloud of black smoke at the same location. It was one of three tankers hit on Sunday.
Another tanker was struck northeast of Oman's Lima, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday. Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said in a separate statement on Tuesday that two tankers caught fire after hitting naval mines.
The International Maritime Organization has confirmed 130 incidents, most of them attacks, in the region since the conflict began in late February, with at least 25 seafarers killed. Oil leaking from damaged tankers has caused environmental damage, with video verified by Reuters showing oil reaching the shores of Oman and satellite imagery showing oil spills off the coast of Oman and the UAE.
On Tuesday, crude prices hit two-month lows after US officials downplayed the need for additional military action against Iran.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：遇袭油轮「Kokuka Courageous」号船体破损处及附着的水雷（2019年资料图）。US Navy 供图，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons / Photo: MV Kokuka Courageous with hull damage and mine. By US Navy, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
41-Year-Old US Army Officer Arrested Near Gloucester on November 10: Suspected Offences Under National Security Act Sections 1 and 3, Allegations Relate to Russia2026-11-11
Lithuania Issues Two Air Alerts Overnight on November 10 as NATO Jets Scramble Twice: Suspected Drones Approached From Belarus, Vilnius and Kaunas Airports Briefly Closed2026-11-11