New Tanker Hit in Hormuz Marks 16th Gulf Attack in 11 Days

The incident is the 16th attack in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Persian Gulf in 11 days, the heaviest pace of the war. Analyst Rory Johnston noted the surge is slowing the recovery of oil flows, although more than 10 MMbpd still clear the waterway. This escalation follows the destruction of the Taiwan-registered Gem No 2 supertanker, which carried 2 million barrels of Saudi crude and required the UAE to rescue 22 sailors. Commentators have questioned the efficacy of the US tanker-for-tanker response policy as more than a dozen ships were hit in October.