As tensions between the US and Iran intensify in the Strait of Hormuz, a high-risk maritime war of attrition is disrupting global oil flows through ship attacks and seizures.
The traditional military confrontation in West Asia has increasingly morphed into a grinding maritime standoff, with the US and Iran targeting and seizing vessels as they compete for control of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil.
After the US declared a naval blockade, Iran – having already curtailed passage early in the conflict – intensified its actions. On Wednesday, Iranian forces reportedly fired at three ships in the strait and seized two.
The conventional conflict in West Asia has steadily shifted into a prolonged maritime struggle, with both the United States and Iran targeting, seizing, and intimidating vessels as they vie for dominance over the strategic Strait of Hormuz – through which nearly 20% of global oil supply passes.
Following Washington’s announcement of a naval blockade in the strait, Iran – already limiting passage since the early stages of the conflict – has stepped up its response. The latest escalation occurred on Wednesday, when Iranian forces reportedly fired on three vessels transiting the waterway and seized two of them.
On April 22, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two container ships – MSC Francesca and Epaminondas – after opening fire on them in the Strait of Hormuz. A third vessel, Euphoria, was also struck by gunfire and forced to alter its course. One of the detained ships was reportedly en route to India.
Iranian authorities justified the seizures by claiming the vessels had switched off tracking systems and attempted covert passage—an allegation frequently cited in recent incidents.
Meanwhile, the US intensified its maritime campaign, intercepting at least three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters and redirecting them in a bid to restrict Tehran’s exports. US Navy operations extended across key routes near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
According to Reuters, US forces have in recent days also seized an Iranian cargo ship and an oil tanker, while diverting at least three more Iranian-flagged vessels. These include a partially loaded Deep Sea supertanker last tracked off Malaysia, and the supertanker Dorena, carrying around 2 million barrels of crude, intercepted off southern India.
Shipping sources added that the Iranian-flagged Derya tanker may have been intercepted after failing to unload cargo in India before a US waiver on Iranian crude expired.
United States Central Command said American forces have directed at least 29 vessels to turn back or head to port since implementing the blockade on traffic to and from Iranian ports.
Earlier, on April 18 and 19, Iranian gunboats fired on multiple tankers – including some linked to India – forcing several to abort their passage. The vessels had attempted to transit after Iran signalled the strait would stay open following initial talks with the US, but access was effectively cut off within hours.
More than 30 maritime attacks have been recorded in the region since the United States and Israel launched the conflict on February 28 with a surprise strike on Iran.
The strategy on both sides is straightforward: the US aims to choke Iran’s economy by curbing its oil exports, while Iran is responding by making it increasingly dangerous for other countries to move oil through the region.