A tanker carrying liquefied natural gas struck a naval mine and suffered an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, the Navy of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced. The strait remains a vital waterway for global maritime transport. Tankers continue to face attacks despite a partial recovery in traffic and expectations of a de-escalation in the war between the US and Israel against Iran.
These tensions have been reflected in falling oil prices. Attacks on ships continue even though traffic has partially recovered, according to data reported by Iranian media and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Iranian media reported on Thursday that four oil tankers were struck by explosions on this waterway.
The ships had ignored warnings and entered what Iran considers restricted areas of the strategic strait, they added. According to data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, at least 10 ships were struck in the first 10 days of November, following 37 attacks in October, the highest monthly number since the conflict began in late February.
The continued attacks in the Strait of Hormuz affect one of the world’s most important maritime transit routes. Iranian authorities have not provided further details on the condition of the tanker that was struck on Friday.