Reported attacks on ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz reach a record weekly high

16 October 2026

The number of ships reporting attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz has reached a record high, according to BBC Verify analysis of data from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.
Twelve vessels were attacked between 5 and 11 October, the largest weekly number reported to UKMTO since the US-Israeli war with Iran began; the previous week saw 10 ships report attacks.
Six of the vessels were struck on a single day, a one-day high, and four attacks had been reported so far in the following week.
As the number of strikes has risen, the recovery in oil shipments through the strait seen the previous month has slowed, industry data suggests.
The Nicaragua-flagged tanker Petro Dolphin was struck by a drone close to the Sohar Anchorage in Oman, more than 250 km from the strait.
US Central Command said commercial traffic continues to flow through the Strait of Hormuz with coordinated protection from US forces and regional partners.