The Institute for the Study of War concluded on Oct. 13, 2026, that Iran is deliberately targeting the ship-to-ship transfers that carry Gulf crude past its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as UKMTO reported a tanker and a container ship hit that day. Iran says it strikes about five 'smuggling ships' a night while promoting a temporary Iran-Oman route, and Brent crude traded above $105 a barrel.
war-conflict / analysis
Iran targets the Gulf's ship-to-ship oil shuttle off Oman as it pushes its own Hormuz route
An analysis of how the U.S.-monitored tanker shuttle works, what tracking data shows about Iran's campaign against it, and the stakes for Washington.
By Ecker Geopolitics Desk · Reviewed and edited by Brendan Ecker
· Updated · 1 min read

Strait of Hormuz · ship-to-ship transfers · Iran · Oman · Sohar · CENTCOM blockade · IRGC Navy · oil tankers