Qatar's LNG carrier AL MAYEDA was struck by three projectiles about 40 nautical miles south of Iran's Lavan Island on 30 October, starting a fire on board. Nakilat, the state-owned company that owns the ship, said no one was hurt and the vessel stayed operational, and Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the attack the next day.
Attacks around the strait also hit the tankers RITI, LOUISE 1 and ARZANAH between 28 and 30 October; Oman's navy evacuated 25 crew from RITI after a fire. On 1 November the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) kept the Strait of Hormuz threat at severe, counting 18 confirmed attacks there since 6 October and about 490 ships waiting outside. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) logged further strikes in early November, including a tanker hit near Ras Al Khafji and a southbound tanker struck off Lima, Oman, on 9 November.
Why it matters
LNG carriers off Yemen's coast are being shot at while Strait of Hormuz traffic runs 70% below normal — key global fuel routes stay at risk.
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Key Indicators
8
Maritime attacks reported in November
Counted by ACLED in its 9 November update, after the highest monthly total of attacks was recorded in October.
18
Confirmed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since 6 October
JMIC figure as of its 1 November advisory, before two later UKMTO warnings were added.
~490
Vessels waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz
JMIC count as of 1 November.
25
Seafarers evacuated from the tanker RITI
Rescued by Oman's Royal Navy after the tanker was struck near the Musandam Peninsula and caught fire.
22 events
Latest: 2 days ago
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November 2026
Southbound tanker struck off Lima, Oman
LatestAttack
UKMTO reports a southbound tanker hit on its port side by an unidentified projectile about 8 nautical miles east of Lima, Oman, with a fire on board and no injuries or pollution. Axios, citing a US official, says IRGC missiles damaged the LNG tanker Al Rekayyat and the Saudi crude tanker Wedyan.
ACLED counts at least eight maritime attacks in November
Report
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project says at least eight attacks on commercial vessels were reported in November so far, after October set the highest monthly total. It says the surge has been aimed in part at keeping oil prices elevated ahead of the US midterms.
Qatar condemns attack on its LNG carrier
Diplomatic
Qatar's foreign ministry calls the strike on AL MAYEDA a serious threat to navigation and energy security, says it reserves the right to take measures under international law, and says authorities are investigating who was responsible.
JMIC keeps Hormuz at severe with 18 confirmed attacks
Report
JMIC's advisory records 18 confirmed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since 6 October, about 490 vessels waiting outside, and continued IRGC surveillance, drone overflights and radio hailing of merchant ships. UKMTO separately logs a tanker struck by two projectiles about 72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji and a Mayday from a vessel in the strait.
October 2026
Qatari LNG carrier AL MAYEDA struck south of Lavan Island
Attack
Three projectiles hit the Marshall Islands-flagged, Qatari-owned LNG carrier AL MAYEDA about 40 nautical miles south of Iran's Lavan Island, causing a fire. Nakilat reports no injuries, no environmental damage and the ship safe and operational.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says four tankers hit mines in the strait
Claim
The IRGC Navy says four oil tankers caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz, one after striking a naval mine, and that they used what it called unauthorised routes. Reuters could not independently verify the account.
Tanker RITI hit near Khasab and abandoned
Attack
The Panama-flagged tanker RITI is struck by an unidentified projectile near Khasab, Oman, causing a small fire and loss of propulsion. Oman's Royal Navy later evacuates 25 crew members.
Limpet mines attached to tanker LOUISE 1
Attack
A small boat approaches the tanker LOUISE 1 about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab and attaches two explosive devices to its hull. The blasts cause an engine-room fire; the crew is safe and the ship continues its voyage.
VLCC ARZANAH struck by projectile in the Strait of Hormuz
Attack
The very large crude carrier ARZANAH is hit by an unidentified projectile while transiting outbound through the strait. The vessel is damaged; its crew is reported safe.
JMIC counts 156 confirmed incidents and keeps Hormuz at severe
Report
Update 108 logs one new attack in the period, reports continued IRGC drone overflights, surveillance and radio hailing of merchant ships, and cites US-assisted transits averaging about 28 a day. Indexed tracking showed single-digit daily transits.
UAE confirms oil pollution on Umm Al Quwain coast
Environmental
UAE authorities confirm oil on the Umm Al Quwain shoreline from a tanker damaged in an earlier attack; clean-up is under way.
LPG tanker hit by projectile near Limah, Oman
Attack
An LPG tanker is struck by an unknown projectile about 7 nautical miles northeast of Limah while leaving the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries or pollution are reported; the ship anchors off Khor Fakkan.
Iran state TV claims seven tankers damaged in Hormuz
Claim
Iranian state television reports that seven oil tankers were hit by attacks or struck mines in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, quoting the Revolutionary Guard navy saying four were transferring oil when targeted. UKMTO and JMIC have not confirmed the account.
Tugboat hit by projectiles off Khor Fakkan
Attack
Two unidentified projectiles strike a southbound tugboat northeast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE, causing one minor casualty and damage; the vessel continues its voyage.
Armed skiff fires on LNG tanker off Yemen
Attack
A skiff with seven men fires two shots at an LNG tanker about 140 nautical miles off Al Mukalla; the armed security team returns warning shots and the skiff alters course.
UKMTO weekly report records 254 Hormuz transits and 12 attacks
Report
UKMTO counts 125 outbound and 129 inbound transits through the Strait of Hormuz, down from 275 the week before, and 12 attacks on vessels.
Container ship struck near Ras Shaykh Masud and sinks
Attack
A container ship is hit by an unidentified projectile near Ras Shaykh Masud, catches fire and sinks the following day, UKMTO reports.
Yemeni forces retake Perim Island
Military
Yemeni forces reclaim Perim Island at the Bab el-Mandeb mouth, adding to route uncertainty.
Container ship CUL Klang attacked
Attack
Armed craft attacks the container ship CUL Klang in the southern Red Sea.
June 2026
US-Iran framework agreement signed
Diplomatic
Framework agreement keeps maritime security and Hormuz access at the center of talks.
April 2026
Ceasefire takes hold
Diplomatic
US-Iran ceasefire halts major hostilities after two months of exchanges.
February 2026
US and Israeli strikes hit Iran
Conflict
US and Israeli strikes on Iran begin a conflict centered on Strait of Hormuz shipping.
Scenarios
1
Another Gulf of Aden attack on a merchant vessel
Likely
Resolves by Jan 31, 2027
Discussed by: UKMTO advisories and maritime analysts citing the pattern of incidents this year
The attack fits a pattern of armed approaches on commercial shipping off Yemen. If the current pace holds, UKMTO will likely report another incident within a few months. Each attack raises insurance costs and keeps carriers wary of the route through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
2
De-escalation slows attacks on shipping
Possible
Resolves by Jan 31, 2027
Discussed by: Regional negotiators and shipping firms hoping for a return to normal traffic
If the US-Iran framework agreement holds and Yemeni forces tighten control of key chokepoints, attacks could taper off. UKMTO would record fewer incidents and Hormuz transits would start climbing back toward pre-conflict levels.
3
Major attack causes casualties or vessel loss
Unlikely
Resolves by Jan 31, 2027
Discussed by: Maritime security analysts watching for escalation in the Gulf of Aden
Most incidents so far have involved warning shots and minor damage. A heavier attack that sinks a vessel or kills crew would raise the stakes sharply for shipping firms and likely draw a stronger military response in the region.
4
Published attack counts keep understating the real number
Likely
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: UKMTO, in its weekly report
UKMTO says most attacked vessels refuse to report incidents to it, and that it knows of others it cannot verify. If that holds, official tallies will stay below the number of strikes insurers and shipowners are actually pricing.
5
Qatar takes measures to protect its ships
Possible
Resolves by Feb 1, 2027
Discussed by: Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its 1 November statement
After condemning the strike on AL MAYEDA, Qatar said it reserved the right to take necessary measures under international law to protect its ships and crews while authorities investigate who was responsible. Any announced escort, rerouting or arming policy for Qatari tonnage would mark an escalation in the Gulf response.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
1984-1988
Tanker War (1984-1988)
During the Iran-Iraq War, Iran and Iraq targeted oil tankers and shipping in the Persian Gulf to cut each other's oil exports. Hundreds of vessels were hit by missiles, mines and aircraft over four years.
Then
The US Navy escorted Kuwaiti tankers and international forces helped protect the shipping lanes.
Now
The war set a precedent for treating Gulf shipping security as a global concern for energy producers and consumers.
Why this matters now
Today's attacks on tankers echo the Tanker War's pattern of using commercial shipping as a target in a broader regional conflict.
2 of 3
May-June 2019
Gulf of Oman tanker attacks (2019)
Four tankers were damaged near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman in May and June 2019, with the US blaming Iran and Iran denying involvement.
Then
Shipping insurance premiums rose and the US deployed additional forces to the region.
Now
The attacks showed how exposed energy shipping is to low-cost strikes near chokepoints.
Why this matters now
They demonstrated that even limited attacks on tankers can ripple through insurance markets and military deployments.
3 of 3
October 2023 - 2024
Red Sea shipping attacks (2023-2024)
Houthi forces attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb with missiles and drones, forcing many carriers to reroute around Africa.
Then
Major shipping lines diverted from the Red Sea; the US and UK launched strikes on Houthi positions.
Now
The episode raised the cost of shipping between Asia and Europe and showed how one actor can disrupt a global chokepoint.
Why this matters now
The current attacks off Yemen sit in the same waters and follow similar tactics of targeting cargo ships transiting the region.
