Tanker attacks reported in the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage important to global energy trade, has seen renewed attacks on ships.

On October 9, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck the liquefied gas tanker MT Sunshine as it tried to cross the southern part of the strait.

The Guards said it was using an unauthorized route.

Two days later, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said another tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile.

A fire broke out, but the crew was safe; the damage and who was responsible were not yet known.

Since the Iran war began in late February, Iran has used threats and attacks to disrupt shipping through the strait.

Iran says ships should use a route along its coast, while the United States has escorted civilian vessels and attacked Iranian ships there; no next steps were specified.