Small boat plants explosives on a tanker’s hull in Hormuz as Iran says two more tankers were stopped, and Brent rises to $116.36

A tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was attacked by a small boat carrying two explosive devices, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said¹.

The devices were attached to the tanker’s hull and caused blasts that sparked a fire^6,14.

The outbound vessel caught fire late on Thursday, was temporarily disabled, and later continued its journey^11,14.

Security sources said the tanker was hit by limpet mines³. One maritime publication described the attack as the work of Iranian forces using a small-craft limpet mine⁷.

On Friday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy said two oil tankers had been involved in incidents and were stopped in waters south of the strait². It did not specify the incidents, according to its statement¹⁰.

The attacks came a day after Iran said four tankers struck mines in the strait, a claim the United States called false^5,15. In its own tally of those earlier incidents, the Guards navy counted three vessels¹⁵.

Why it matters to investors

Oil prices rose on Friday and were set for a fourth monthly gain as the attack highlighted continuing supply risks from the war⁴.

At 06:17 GMT, Brent crude was up $1.48 at $116.36 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose $1.28 to $103.28¹².

Houthi claims of attacks added to supply fears¹.

The method marks an apparent change in strategy, with explosives attached directly to a hull by a small boat^8,13.

It was the 35th confirmed attack on a ship within a single month⁸.

The incident has highlighted close-range security threats to vessels using the strait, with attackers aboard a small boat able to reach a tanker’s hull¹⁴.

What to watch

Accounts of the incidents differ: Tehran has disputed a US claim that key shipping lanes had been cleared, while Washington called Iran’s claim of four mine strikes false^5,15.

The Revolutionary Guards’ account of two tankers stopped south of the strait has not been matched by details of what happened to them^2,9.

Fears of renewed US strikes on Iran have grown alongside the shipping attacks⁵.

Shipping and insurance markets will watch whether the new small-boat tactics are repeated^8,13.

Further incidents would extend the pressure that has kept oil prices climbing for four months^4,12.