The threat to merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains "severe", the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre says, warning further attacks in the waterway were "highly likely" under current conditions.
In its latest advisory, issued on behalf of the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), UKMTO reported eight attacks involving projectiles of unknown origin against vessels in the strait on 11 and 13 October.
The incidents involved four tankers and four container ships, including the GFS Pride, which caught fire and sank on 14 October.
"IRGC attacks, attempted attacks, and/or harassment activity persisted including UAV overflight,
targeted surveillance of merchant shipping, and occasional VHF hailing. These actions continue to demonstrate Iran’s intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on
transiting vessels," the statement said.
UKMTO said independent tracking data indicated single-digit traffic in both directions in the waterway, while US NCAGS data indicated US assisted traffic flows averaging approximately 30 vessel transits per day for the last 96 hours.
The advisory also reported 149 maritime security incidents across the region since 1 March and warned that vessels travelling with their identification systems switched on faced an elevated risk of being targeted or ordered to divert towards Iranian-controlled routes.