Iranian officials say shipping attack tactics changed ahead of US midterms
Two senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Iran changed the type and pace of attacks on vessels it says violate its Strait of Hormuz restrictions.
Iran changed the type and pace of attacks on vessels it considers to be violating its Strait of Hormuz restrictions about 10 days before October 14, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters. They said influencing the US midterm elections was among the aims; they gave no operational details of the change.
One of the officials said the strategy also aimed to frustrate US and allied efforts to lower global oil prices. Reuters did not identify the officials, and their stated aims have not been independently established.
Shipping incidents in the Strait of Hormuz
The National reported that Reuters, citing maritime security sources, counted at least 12 tanker attacks in and around the strait from September 28 to October 5. It also said the International Maritime Organization recorded nine vessel-related incidents in the same period. The counts differ because of verification and reporting methods.
The National reported competing assessments of shipping conditions: an Iranian official claimed the strait was closed and under Iranian control, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said commercial oil flows had largely recovered and the strait was open.
Sources and context
- Iran shifting tactics to step up attacks on shipping before US vote, officials sayThe Straits Times (Reuters report)
- Strait of Hormuz attacks surge as Iran steps up campaign against US-backed oil shippingThe National
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