Hormuz shipping attacks hit monthly record in October
Gulf security agencies reported record maritime losses and new aerial threats as diplomatic efforts continue ahead of a Knesset vote.
By David Almasi ·
October has recorded the highest number of attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz since 2017, according to data from a Washington-based think tank. The surge in incidents follows new strikes at sea and in the air across the Middle East on October 24.
The Saudi-led coalition announced it intercepted and destroyed one ballistic missile and one drone targeting the Kingdom. The Directorate of Civil Defence issued warnings for residents in Riyadh, Najran, and Wadi al-Dawasir before declaring the danger had passed. Separately, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that two supertankers hit naval mines while using an unapproved route south of the strait. UK Maritime Trade Operations reported another tanker was struck by an unknown projectile seven nautical miles off the Omani coast.
Political rhetoric intensified as US President Donald Trump suggested Washington might launch a new military operation against Iran. Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Major General Abdollahi, responded that the country would not allow US warships to re-enter the Persian Gulf. Mohammed Mokhber, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, described the threats from the US and Israel as signs of desperation.
Diplomatic movements continue alongside the conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Moscow next week for a meeting with Vladimir Putin and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit on October 27. In London, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that Britain is increasing efforts to find diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
Military actions also occurred in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces ordered Palestinian residents of Hebron to leave their homes on foot and demolished buildings near the site where two Israeli soldiers were killed. Troops detained dozens of people during raids in the territory.
In Syria, protests were held against Israeli incursions in the south following an attack earlier this week that killed a man with a disability. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that an announcement on reunifying Libya’s rival administrations is coming soon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel should prepare for international banking sanctions. He suggested cryptocurrency could help the country bypass such measures. These remarks came four days before the Knesset election.
