The Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Funtas was attacked on September 28, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz. This incident has been confirmed after nearly a week-long pause in tanker attacks. The attack on this tanker occurred while the United States government rejected claims of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Incident Details
The Al Funtas tanker, with a capacity of 316,648 tons, built in 2014 and operated by the Kuwait Oil Company, was not on Iran's list of "unacceptable ships." However, Iranian officials had threatened to target Kuwaiti tankers. Reports indicate that the tanker was moving in a "dark" manner while passing through the strait and had not directly reported the attack to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center or MSCIO.
This incident occurred after information regarding the attack was relayed from a third source to security services, informing them that the tanker had been attacked on Monday evening. The fire resulting from the attack was quickly extinguished, and the tanker resumed its course, but the extent of the damage is still unclear.
Security and Political Implications
This attack comes as Iran continues to seek to consolidate its control over the Strait of Hormuz and randomly attacks passing vessels. U.S. officials emphasize that Iran does not control the strait, but this attack follows at least four incidents involving attacks on ships in the past week. Reports indicate that the number of confirmed incidents in the Persian Gulf has reached 86, with 24 reported fatalities.
Iran announced yesterday that it had returned 19 tankers on Friday and Saturday, dividing control of the area between the Navy of the Army and the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. While the United States claims to have sunk an Iranian naval vessel, it has yet to stop all drone and missile attacks.
The PGSA continues to expand its list of unacceptable ships, warning brokers who send ships through the strait about the potential consequences of cooperating with these vessels. However, it appears that these ships continue their trade.
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