Container Ship Sinks in the Strait of Hormuz as Attacks Surge
The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride sank after being struck by an unknown projectile on Tuesday; all 21 crew were evacuated unhurt. A second Singapore-flagged ship was hit today and reached safe anchorage. Singapore’s maritime authority called the attacks “unprovoked, unjustifiable and a breach of international law”. Iran says the vessel struck a mine on an “unauthorised” route.
The maritime trade monitor recorded twelve vessels attacked between 5 and 11 October, six of them on Sunday alone, and Kpler puts crude exports through the strait at 8.5 million barrels a day in the week to 12 October — nearly 40% below pre-war levels, after a September rebound under American escort. Two Iranian officials told Reuters the new tactics were decided at the top, with one aim being to frustrate efforts to lower oil prices before the 3 November midterms. The Revolutionary Guards’ naval commander says Tehran is “counting down every moment” to sinking American warships; Central Command replied that he “has no navy”. Only one other ship had been reported sunk since the war began.