Two More Ship Strikes Reported in the Strait of Hormuz
UK Maritime Trade Operations reported two attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, one on a tanker and one on a container ship, both north of the Musandam Peninsula and both involving an "unknown projectile." UKMTO did not provide times, vessel names, damage, crew status or salvage details. Six attacks were reported on Sunday, the most damage recorded in one day since the start of the conflict, and none were reported on Monday; two Iranian officials told Reuters that both the method and the pace of the operation had changed, raising the hit rate, with the stated goal of impeding U.S.-sponsored oil exports through the strait.
Why it matters: The reported strikes and Iran's stated aim of impeding U.S.-sponsored oil exports through the strait make maritime security and oil supply the operative theme of the item.