STRAIT OF HORMUZ, September 30 — On April 12, 2024, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy conducted coordinated attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command and maritime security firms. The strikes involved short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and one-way attack drones launched from Iranian coastal positions near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. At least five vessels were targeted, including two Liberian-flagged oil tankers, one Panamanian-flagged container ship, and two UAE-registered support ships.
No crew fatalities were reported, but one tanker sustained hull damage requiring diversion to Fujairah for inspection. The attacks occurred between 03:00 and 05:30 local time (UTC+4) and were confirmed by satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and radar tracking from the Combined Maritime Forces.
Iran’s state media, IRIB, claimed the operation was a response to what it described as ‘continued U.S. and allied military presence’ and ‘economic warfare’ via sanctions. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, issued a statement condemning the strikes as ‘unprovoked and dangerous,’ noting that over 20% of global oil trade passes through the strait daily. The U.S. Navy deployed the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) to escort commercial traffic following the incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued a warning to mariners advising heightened vigilance in the area. This marks the first major IRGCN missile and drone salvo against commercial shipping since January 2022, when similar attacks targeted UAE-bound vessels.
Analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted the timing coincides with heightened U.S.-Iran diplomatic friction over nuclear negotiations and regional proxy activity in Yemen and Iraq. No formal declaration of war was issued by any party, and the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency closed-door session on April 13, 2024, to discuss the incident under Agenda Item 7 (Threats to International Peace and Security).
