Iran attacked three vessels traveling along the southern portions of the strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, significantly raising the threat level to commercial shipping in the region, according to shipping security sources.
The UK Trade Maritime Organization (UKTMO) raised the threat level in the strait from "substantial" to "severe" as of 17:05 GMT on Tuesday, the second-highest level on Joint Maritime Information Committee's threat scale, following the three attacks by Iran on commercial shipping in the region.
The three attacks appear to have happened as the ships were crossing close to the coast of Oman, in a section of the strait where the US has encouraged transits to avoid Iranian claims of control.
A very large crude carried (VLCC) was hit 16 nautical miles (nm) east of Khor Fakkan, UAE, while exiting the strait of Hormuz, according to UKMTO, while another tanker was struck 6nm off Musandam Peninsula, Oman, reporting minor structural damage. Neither of the vessels reported casualties and are proceeding to their next port of call.
The third vessel attacked was an LNG tanker identified by Qatar as Al Rekayyat, which EOS Marine's head of advisory Martin Kelly claims in a social media post is now abandoned.
The safety of the southern route through the strait, which had been seen as a relatively safe safe transit lane for the past two weeks by assistance from the US military, is now in serious question, according to maritime security firm Windward.
Iran is "turning the screw on control of the strait of Hormuz" after the three ships were struck route "despite US air support", Kelly said.
Following the attacks on Tuesday, the US revoked an authorization allowing purchases of Iranian crude and refined products, as the US-Iran interim deal signed last month shows signs of fracturing.
