On November 1, 2026, an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf was attacked by two unidentified projectiles. The attack occurred at 23:47 UTC and approximately 72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia. The tanker was moving southeast when two projectiles were fired towards the left side of the ship. All crew members were safe, and no environmental damage was reported.
Continuing Attacks on Commercial Shipping
This attack followed another incident on the same day in the Strait of Hormuz, where the captain of a commercial vessel reported receiving a Mayday call from another ship that had been attacked. The identity of the ship and the extent of its damage are still unclear. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), these two incidents add to a series of ongoing attacks that pose serious threats to commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
The Royal Navy of Oman reported on October 29, 2026, the evacuation of 25 crew members from the Panama-flagged tanker RITI, which required evacuation due to an attack and fire near the Musandam Peninsula. This evacuation was coordinated with the Oman Maritime Security Center, and the rescued crew members received medical care.
Attacks on LNG Ships and Increasing Threats
Qatar's LNG shipping company, Nakilat, confirmed that the LNG ship AL MAYEDA was attacked by unidentified objects while passing through the Persian Gulf on October 30. This attack occurred 40 nautical miles south of Iran's Lavan Island and caused a fire on the ship. Nakilat stated that no harm was done to individuals or the environment, and the ship remained intact and operational.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this attack on November 1, describing it as a serious threat to maritime navigation and global energy security. The ministry also asserted its right to take necessary actions under international law to protect its vessels and crews.
The JMIC center has also confirmed serious threats to the Strait of Hormuz in its assessments, warning that the likelihood of further intentional attacks is very high. From October 6 to November 1, 18 confirmed attacks have been recorded in the strait.
Given the continuation of this trend and attacks on oil tankers and LNG ships within the strait as well as in the Persian Gulf, the security threat has expanded beyond its narrow maritime corridor, increasing concerns about global energy supply and regional maritime operations.
Read more: Iran's Threat to Target Internet Cables in the Persian Gulf · Yangzijiang Maritime Signed a Contract to Purchase Four New Oil Tankers
