This escalation follows the highest single day of commercial shipping attacks since the conflict began on Oct 11, when 6 vessels were hit. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported at least 13 strikes over a 3 day period, including 5 tankers and 1 container vessel during the record daily tally. The IRGC Navy asserts that it is targeting vessels serving a US and UAE crude oil shuttle designed to bypass the transit lane.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Iran Shifts Hormuz Target Strategy After Record 6 Vessel Strike
War6 days ago
Anti-ship cruise missiles were fired from Bandar Sirik and Qeshm island toward the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The IRGC Navy has adopted a new targeting strategy using fishermen and small boats to obtain real-time vessel locations for precision strikes, as reported by Reuters. US Central Command responded by striking one such reconnaissance boat on Tuesday morning, which resulted in injuries to 3 sailors. Iranian state media has also begun frequently publishing footage and photos of successful attacks, a departure from previous operational secrecy.
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