Attack against an oil tanker in Qatar after Iran threatens to close crude oil transit through Hormuz
Oil exceeds 100 dollars per barrel as attacks against ships increase and Trump studies carrying out new bombings before the midterm elections
BarcelonaAn oil tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar has been hit by "several projectiles," causing an unspecified number of casualties, according to a British maritime security agency. The attack comes after Iran announced it would close a route in the Strait of Hormuz used to bypass the blockade imposed by Tehran on maritime traffic. This week, attacks against tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz have reached their highest level since the start of the war against Iran—at least 12 have been recorded against crude oil and liquefied natural gas transport vessels—according to maritime security firms, which has once again pushed the price of oil above 100 dollars per barrel. The Strait of Hormuz is vital to the global economy: before the start of the war, approximately one-fifth of the planet's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through this maritime route.
On Wednesday, Tehran announced it would further tighten the blockade of Hormuz and threatened to close passage routes through the strait it considers illegal, referring to a southern corridor that runs along the coast of Oman, on the other side of the Iranian coast, which they claim was opened through blasting some rocky barriers. Mohammadreza Naqdi, an advisor to the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, declared to the official Fars agency that "the Strait of Hormuz is closed and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran control it completely." Tehran says that only an average of 10 vessels cross this route daily, compared to the 125 that did so before the joint United States and Israel attack on February 28.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the other hand, responded on Wednesday that Iran "has completely lost control" of the strait. "Almost as much oil is coming out now as before this conflict began," he stated.
Oil above 100 dollars
Amidst contradictory messages and concerns about supply, the price of oil rose on Wednesday and a barrel of Brent crude surpassed $100. This is affecting the pockets of Americans and increasing the pressure on Donald Trump, who will soon face the test of the polls. According to various reports revealed by the American press, the president is reportedly considering resuming military operations against Iran in the coming weeks, even before the midterm elections on November 4th. Last week, a third American aircraft carrier set sail for the region and will be in position by the end of October.
The United States has established its own counter-blockade of Iranian ports and occasionally fires on vessels linked to Tehran. They have also bombed Iranian targets in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on ships, although no new bombings of this type have been recorded since September 1st.