LONDON: Iran is adopting new tactics to target commercial vessels in and beyond the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to keep global oil prices high and increase pressure on the United States ahead of November’s midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.
Tehran has sought to tighten its control over the strategic waterway since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28. Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
Iranian threats and attacks have sharply reduced shipping traffic through the strait, pushing up oil prices and raising concerns about further disruption to global energy supplies.
One Iranian official said Tehran began using different offensive tactics against vessels it considered to be violating its restrictions about 10 days ago. The changes reportedly involve both the type and frequency of attacks, with officials saying the strategy is intended partly to influence the US elections.
“The aim is to frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies to bring down global oil prices,” one official told Reuters.
The officials said the strategy had been approved at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership and coordinated across the country’s governing system.
Iran Uses Small Boats to Identify Targets
A US military official confirmed that Iran had changed some of its tactics following US strikes that damaged much of its radar capabilities. According to the official, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has begun using unarmed spotters in small boats to identify potential targets, including US naval vessels.
In an incident last week that had not previously been reported, US forces identified Iranian spotters operating from a traditional dhow and relaying targeting information to the IRGC. The US military confronted the vessel, instructed its occupants to abandon ship and subsequently destroyed it. No casualties were reported, the US official said.
The official added that Iran had been unable to stop an increase in oil exports through the strait, partly because it was reluctant to risk its remaining fast boats following US strikes that severely damaged its navy.
Attacks Spread Beyond Strait of Hormuz
Iranian officials said Tehran also intended to expand the geographical scope of its operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman and other waters.
Maritime security data and reports of incidents suggest that attacks may already be extending to areas beyond the strait, including waters off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
At least five incidents involving tankers and other commercial vessels were reported in the Hormuz region during the 48 hours preceding the Reuters report. The incidents included drone strikes, according to maritime security sources and reports to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
A maritime security source described the increased pace of attacks as appearing deliberate. Data from the International Maritime Organization indicated that the recent rate of incidents was similar to that recorded between October 3 and 5.
One Iranian official warned that Tehran would continue applying pressure whenever Washington appeared close to bringing oil prices down, describing the confrontation as “a game of chess.”
“Such vessels would be safe nowhere, even outside the Strait of Hormuz,” the official said.
US Midterm Elections Add to Economic Stakes
The conflict, which the report said was costing the United States approximately $3 billion a month, has become a major issue in the run-up to the November midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
US President Donald Trump has been considering further steps against Iran but has said he would not launch another attack before the vote.
Washington has also maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports and expanded sanctions in an effort to increase economic pressure on Tehran and secure an agreement to end the conflict.
The continuing confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz has left global energy markets vulnerable to further disruption. Threats to shipping, along with higher freight and insurance costs, are complicating efforts to restore normal maritime traffic.
Iran Warns of Possible Complete Closure
Both Iranian officials said Tehran was moving towards a situation in which vessels violating its restrictions would be unable to pass through the strait.
One official warned that a complete closure could come soon.
The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said in its latest report that the threat to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remained “severe,” the second-highest threat level. It reported continued IRGC attacks, attempted attacks and harassment, including drone overflights, targeted surveillance of merchant vessels and occasional radio warnings.
The Pentagon and Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment by Reuters.