OMM Newsroom
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that it had attacked two US vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.
According to Iranian state media, the IRGC said the action was carried out in response to a US attack on five Iranian tankers. The corps claimed that the 10 vessels had attempted to pass through a “prohibited and dangerous” area of the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices rose amid the escalation in tensions. Brent crude increased by $1.57 a barrel to $99.49, while West Texas Intermediate gained $1.60 to reach $94.63.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz also declined. Preliminary data showed that six cargo vessels passed through the strait on Tuesday. That was below the nine vessels recorded the previous day and the average of about 12 vessels over the past 10 days.
The figures are based on data from Kpler. The numbers may change because some vessels switch off their transponders during voyages.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a major route for global energy supplies. A significant share of the world’s oil shipments passes through the waterway, making any disruption there highly sensitive for international markets.
