Iranian Guard Says It Struck LPG Tanker Near Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Oct. 9, raising fresh concerns about energy shipping through a key global trade route.

The IRGC said the tanker was attempting to pass through the waterway illegally and suffered a major fire. The IRGC Navy warned that vessels violating its rules beyond the strait would face punishment.

A separate vessel was hit by an unknown projectile about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates. The fire that followed was extinguished.

The incidents add to a series of maritime risks around the Strait of Hormuz, where earlier attacks and attempted attacks involving energy vessels have coincided with lower crude flows. At least 12 attacks, attempted attacks or harassment incidents involving oil, liquefied natural gas and LPG tankers were recorded from Sept. 28 through Oct. 5, while crude flows fell 27% in one week to at least 10.1 million barrels per day.

The recent rise in tanker incidents around the Strait of Hormuz has increased attention on possible disruptions to energy supplies and broader markets, including cryptocurrencies.

President Trump said Thursday, Oct. 8, that the United States would not attack Iran before the November midterm elections. He described talks with Iran as productive, while Iranian officials said the negotiations were stalemated and had made no progress.