In the past 24 hours, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted 7 violating tankers in the Persian Gulf. This action is part of the intensified monitoring of tanker movements in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closely pursued for the past month.
Intensified Monitoring of Tanker Movements
Specifically, on October 9, the Navy of the IRGC issued a warning regarding the pursuit of violators in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision was made following increased maritime tensions and the need to ensure security in the region. Following this warning, three tankers outside the strait were targeted.
Continuing this trend, on Tuesday (October 20), a tanker was targeted in southeastern Al-Faw, Iraq, and today (October 21), four other tankers in the northern part of the Persian Gulf were targeted due to illegal ship-to-ship operations. These actions reflect Iran's concerns about the illegal movements of tankers and their impact on regional energy exports.
Oil Terminals and Energy Export Infrastructure
The most important oil terminals in the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, as the main hubs of energy exports, could be targeted in the event of escalated conflict. Oil terminals such as Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates are in the spotlight due to their key role in exporting oil to global markets.
Ras Tanura terminal, near the city of Dammam, is one of the most important crude oil export centers of Aramco. This terminal is connected to Saudi Arabia's major oil fields, and a significant portion of the country's oil exports is conducted from this terminal. Additionally, the Yanbu terminal on the west coast of Saudi Arabia allows for oil exports without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
In the UAE, the Fujairah terminal, as one of the important centers for exporting oil and petroleum products, is connected to this port via the Habshan pipeline. Currently, this terminal is in a critical state due to frequent attacks.
Kuwait is also involved in this equation with the Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah terminals, which play a role in exporting crude oil and refined products. Given the attacks by the American-Zionist coalition on Iran, these terminals are also under pressure.
Qatar and Bahrain are recognized as key points in this energy export chain with their export terminals. The Sitra terminal in Bahrain and Halul Island in Qatar are both recognized as sensitive points in the export of oil and liquefied natural gas.
Considering these developments, there is a possibility of a shift in the level of confrontation from tankers to energy export infrastructure. In the event of heightened tensions, oil terminals and related infrastructure could become the main components of the equation.
