Middle East — 2026-10-23

October Marks Highest Number of Strait of Hormuz Ship Attacks Since Iran-US War Began With 27 Incidents

BLUFIran's widening target set now includes containerships and vessels at anchor, and the IMO's confirmed attack tally will likely reach at least 130 by mid-November.

The International Maritime Organization counts 27 attacks on commercial ships in October, the most of any month since the US-Iran war began February 28, according to USNI News 1. Lloyd's List data show 104 non-Iranian-linked vessels transited October 5-11 despite 12 attacks, six of them on October 11 1. Lloyd's List reporting relayed by Kuehne+Nagel said three containerships linked to GFS Ship Management were struck October 13, and GFS Pride sank with all 21 crew evacuated 2. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed seven vessels were hit over 24 hours, without supplying names or verifiable evidence, according to Splash247 3. The IMO tally stands at 119 confirmed incidents and 24 seafarer deaths since hostilities began 3.

Analysis
We have high confidence that Iran has moved beyond shuttle tankers: containerships, bulk carriers and vessels at anchor now fall inside its target set, and October's record tempo and the IMO's 119-incident tally point the same way. Transits have held up, so operators are accepting the risk and Tehran can sustain pressure without striking every ship. The IMO's cumulative count of confirmed attacks on commercial ships in the Hormuz region will likely reach at least 130 by November 13. The three strikes on GFS-linked containerships, one of them a sinking, could push insurers and feeder operators to cut southern-corridor sailings. Three outlets agree, but all draw on Lloyd's List or IMO data, so their agreement overstates independence. The spike may also reflect broader IMO and UKMTO reporting of low-level incidents, including unverified IRGC claims, rather than more successful strikes. If the count reaches 130, shipowners, insurers and US Navy planners should treat the southern corridor as a sustained strike zone and adjust war-risk pricing and escort allocation. If it stalls below that, current shuttle arrangements can continue.

3 sources

October Marks Highest Number of Strait of Hormuz Attacks - USNI News
Hormuz ship attacks hit record as Iran broadens campaign against commercial shipping - Kuehne+Nagel
Iran claims seven vessels hit in new wave of Hormuz attacks - Splash247