Attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb have sharply increased in recent days. These attacks, along with the shutdown of the East-to-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, have impacted the maritime transport situation in the region. On Sunday, two commercial ships were attacked simultaneously, indicating escalating tensions in these areas.
Details of the Attacks on Ships
The oil tanker El Gaia, flying the Panama flag and weighing 47,999 tons, was attacked near the shores of Oman. This incident occurred as political and military developments in Yemen and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are rapidly changing. With the Houthi forces advancing deeper into the strait, the risks for commercial navigation in this area have increasingly risen.
Read more: Increase in Oil and Gas Production in South Azadegan and South Pars
Impacts on Maritime Trade and Regional Security
These attacks not only jeopardize maritime security but could also have major implications for global oil trade. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategic maritime routes in the world, through which about 20 percent of the world's crude oil passes. The shutdown of the East-to-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, one of the main oil transport routes in the country, has significantly affected the global oil market and led to rising prices.
Experts believe that escalating tensions in these areas could lead to an increase in attacks on commercial ships and compel the involved countries to adopt more security measures. At the same time, this situation could lead to new crises in the global oil market, putting pressure on both consumer and producer countries.
Read more: Sanctioning Iranian Oil Shipment on the Route from Asia to Europe · Discovery of the Sanctioned Route of a Large Oil Tanker in the Waters of the Persian Gulf
