Two oil tankers were attacked on Sunday near the Strait of Hormuz. One of these tankers was targeted in the waters of Hormuz and the other on the shores of Oman. According to ship tracking information, one of these tankers was a Suezmax that had set sail on October 8 carrying Iraqi crude oil.
Details of the Attacks
This Suezmax was attacked by an unknown projectile, causing a fire on board, and at the time of writing this report, two of its crew members are still missing. The other tanker, identified as carrying chemical products, was attacked by a drone. This attack had previously been reported by one of the British maritime trade organizations.
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India's Reaction and Regional Situation
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated: "India reiterates the need for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and the resolution of ongoing conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. Attacks on commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure must cease. Freedom of navigation and the safe and unobstructed flow of maritime trade in international waters must be maintained." In recent weeks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has increased its attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly targeting vessels passing through the area in darkness.
The United States Navy is also continuing its attacks on vessels associated with Iran, which has increased transportation risks in the region. The IRGC Navy stated in a statement: "All vessels that turn off their navigation and identification systems in the Strait of Hormuz will be identified as threats and will be dealt with severely and decisively."
The news of these attacks coincided with a report about an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine that the U.S. President announced over the weekend. Although neither party involved has confirmed this ceasefire, the news has put pressure on oil prices. Brent crude oil traded above $103 per barrel after this news, and U.S. crude oil (WTI) was also above $90 per barrel.
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