Iran has reportedly intensified its campaign against commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, adopting new tactics to restrict maritime traffic and sustain pressure on Washington, according to a Reuters report citing two senior Iranian officials.
The officials said Tehran’s strategy includes increasing the frequency of attacks and extending operations beyond the strait. They also indicated that keeping oil prices elevated ahead of the November US midterm elections was among Iran’s objectives.
Why Is Iran Targeting Ships in the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since US and Israeli strikes began on February 28. Before the conflict, the strategic waterway carried approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
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According to the Iranian officials cited by Reuters, Tehran began deploying different offensive tactics against vessels it considers to be violating its restrictions around 10 days before the report. One official said the change involved both the types of attacks and their frequency.
The officials added that the decision was coordinated at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership.
Iran Uses Boat Spotters to Identify Targets
A US military official told Reuters that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had started using unarmed observers in small boats to identify potential targets, including American naval vessels.
The tactic reportedly emerged after US strikes damaged much of Iran’s radar infrastructure.
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