UKMTO warns of severe threat and likely new attacks on Hormuz shipping

The UK Maritime Trade Operations issued a warning that the risk to commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz is currently severe, with a high likelihood of additional attacks. The advisory, issued for the Joint Maritime Information Center, recorded eight projectile attacks on 11 and 13 October, affecting four tankers and four container ships, including the GFS Pride, which burned and sank on 14 October. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) actions such as UAV overflights, targeted surveillance and occasional VHF hailing were cited as ongoing harassment.

Independent tracking shows only single-digit vessel movements in each direction, whereas US NCAGS data indicate roughly 30 assisted transits per day over the past four days. Overall, 149 maritime security incidents have been documented since 1 March, and vessels with active identification systems face a higher risk of being targeted or diverted toward Iranian-controlled routes.