Tanker Disabled in Strait of Hormuz Attack, Another Vessel Reported on Fire in Persian Gulf

Two new maritime security warnings issued Monday point to continued dangers for commercial shipping in the Middle East, with one tanker confirmed disabled by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz and another vessel reportedly on fire in the northern Persian Gulf.

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a verified, time-late report of a tanker struck by an unknown projectile while transiting outbound through the Strait of Hormuz on October 23 at 0839 UTC.

The impact disabled the vessel, although all crew members were reported safe. UKMTO did not identify the tanker or provide details about the extent of the damage. No assessment of possible environmental impacts was available.

The incident was disclosed three days after it occurred, highlighting the continuing delays in reporting attacks against commercial vessels in the region.

In a separate warning issued Monday, UKMTO said it had received multiple third-party reports of a vessel on fire approximately 63 nautical miles southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, in the northern Persian Gulf.

The vessel’s identity, crew status, extent of damage and potential environmental impact were unknown.

UKMTO classified the report as suspicious activity rather than a confirmed attack. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and authorities are investigating.

The two reports come amid continued attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with violence increasingly extending into the wider Persian Gulf.

JMIC Warns Further Attacks Are Highly Likely

In its latest advisory, issued October 25, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) maintained its SEVERE threat assessment for the Strait of Hormuz, warning that further deliberate attacks were highly likely.

The assessment also kept the threat level across the wider Persian Gulf at SUBSTANTIAL, citing five attacks inside the Gulf since October 7, including incidents near anchorages and ship-to-ship transfer areas.

JMIC reported 156 confirmed maritime security incidents across the region since March 1. That figure was published before UKMTO disclosed the latest verified tanker attack.

The advisory highlighted another recent incident involving an LPG tanker struck by an unidentified projectile on October 22, approximately seven nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman. That vessel subsequently reached an anchorage off Khor Fakkan.

According to JMIC, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps activity continues to include attacks, attempted attacks, drone overflights, surveillance and radio communications directing commercial vessels toward Iranian-controlled routes.

The latest incidents also underscore the growing risks beyond the Strait itself, particularly in the Persian Gulf, where ships waiting at anchor or conducting cargo transfers remain exposed.

Shipping Traffic Remains Heavily Disrupted

Despite efforts by the United States to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, commercial traffic remains well below historical levels.

JMIC reported 101 U.S.-facilitated vessel transits between October 22 and 24, compared with a historical average of approximately 138 vessels per day in 2025. The figures use different reporting methodologies, with the U.S. tally covering assisted transits rather than all commercial movements.

Separate tracking data showed only single-digit daily transits outside the U.S.-facilitated system.

Congestion also remains severe. As of October 25, JMIC estimated approximately 492 vessels were waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz, with large concentrations near Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and other regional anchorages.

The continuing disruption comes as U.S. forces enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports while attempting to maintain safe passage for other commercial shipping.

JMIC warned that vessels using the Strait face persistent threats from projectile attacks, possible renewed mining activity and electronic navigation interference.

UKMTO has advised vessels operating in the affected areas to exercise caution and report suspicious activity while investigations continue.