The navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday, 9 October 2026, formally claimed responsibility for the attack on the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier "NV Sunshine", owned by the company Natvit. According to Euronews Persian, the IRGC claimed it had struck the ship's engine room and propulsion system as it passed through the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, which it calls "unauthorised", setting it on fire. No casualties have been reported.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also said on Friday morning that an LPG carrier was hit by unknown projectiles about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazirah in the United Arab Emirates and caught a major fire, which was later brought under control. Vahid Online also published the IRGC statement on the attack.
IRGC threatens attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz
In a separate statement, the IRGC threatened to pursue and "punish" ships across the region that do not follow the routes it designates, saying this response would no longer be limited to the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC also accused the US military of interfering in shipping and insurance decisions and threatened to sanction companies that cooperate with the United States and to target all of their ships. This is the first time in recent days that the Islamic Republic has openly claimed an attack on a commercial vessel.
Attack on the tanker Acers in Qatari waters
Earlier, the oil and chemical tanker "Acers", flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was hit by several projectiles on the evening of Wednesday, 7 October, at around 22:30 Tehran time, 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal in Qatar. UKMTO reported casualties among the crew. According to Euronews and gCaptain, it was the first attack in this part of the Persian Gulf in more than six months. On Thursday, 8 October, a tanker also caught fire about 40 kilometres from the port of Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman. The Islamic Republic did not formally claim responsibility for these two incidents, but IRGC-affiliated media hinted at an expansion of operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
After attacking an LPG carrier, the IRGC threatened to target ships across the entire region.
Shipping insecurity and the impact on the oil market
According to Euronews, between 28 September and 5 October alone at least 12 attacks, attempted attacks or acts of harassment against tankers and gas carriers were recorded in the region, the highest weekly figure since the war began in February–March. According to The Guardian, oil prices rose by about five percent on Thursday. The Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively closed since the start of the war, and the United States is continuing its naval blockade of the Islamic Republic.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.