Iran Tanker Attacks Surge as Hormuz Oil Flows Near Prewar Levels

Iran has intensified attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz even as oil shipments through the crucial waterway recover toward levels seen before the war, raising fresh concerns over Middle East energy security.

UK Maritime Trade Operations has reported nine attacks in the Strait of Hormuz so far this month, already equal to half the total recorded during September across both Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. September’s tally included four incidents during the final two days of the month, highlighting the recent acceleration in maritime attacks.

Tankers have faced periodic strikes throughout the Iran war, although the impact on crude shipments has varied. Previous attacks temporarily disrupted traffic, but stronger flows in subsequent days often compensated for the losses.

Maritime security officials and shipping executives remain uncertain whether the latest escalation will significantly reduce oil shipments through Hormuz. The potential impact on seaborne natural gas flows, which have also increased in recent weeks, remains unclear.

The renewed attacks come as major consuming countries move to ease pressure on global energy markets. Several nations announced plans last week to release millions of barrels from emergency oil reserves. US President Donald Trump is also considering measures aimed at lowering domestic fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections.

Most tankers traveling through the Strait of Hormuz use a shipping corridor close to Oman. Many vessels switch off their digital tracking signals while crossing the waterway, leaving traders and analysts dependent on satellite imagery and other shipping data to estimate energy flows.

Despite security risks, oil shipments through Hormuz have steadily recovered since early summer. Some Wall Street banks said last week that volumes were approaching prewar levels, while leading commodity traders at the Energy Intelligence Forum in London estimated Middle East flows at roughly 80% of their prewar rate.

The recovery in supply helped push Brent crude back below $100 a barrel, although prices were recently trading near $101.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy routes, making any sustained disruption to oil or natural gas shipments a major risk for global prices, particularly as the Northern Hemisphere approaches winter.