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Iran is also preparing to expand the geographical scope of its maritime operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman.
US military escorts commercial oil vessels through the Strait of Hormuz (Photo: AFP)
Iran is deploying new tactics to target ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran seeks to keep global oil prices high and influence the outcome of the US midterm elections. The shift comes amid an escalating confrontation between Iran and the United States and Israel, whose strikes against Iran began on February 28. Tehran has since restricted shipping through the strategic waterway, which accounted for about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the war, seeking to gain leverage over Washington.
Iranian threats and attacks have sharply curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, driving up oil prices even as some shipments continue to pass through.
An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran had begun changing the type and pace of its offensive operations against vessels it considers to be violating its restrictions about 10 days ago, resulting in an increase in attacks.
“The aim is to frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies to bring down global oil prices,” one of the officials told Reuters. The official said the decision was taken at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership and coordinated across the country’s ruling system.
Iran Uses Small Boats To Identify Targets
After US strikes destroyed much of Iran’s radar capabilities, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began using unarmed spotters aboard small boats to identify potential targets, including US naval vessels. In an incident last week, the US military determined that Iranian spotters operating from a dhow were identifying targets and relaying information to the IRGC.
US forces confronted the vessel, instructed its occupants to abandon ship and subsequently destroyed it. There were no casualties but Iran had been reluctant to risk its remaining fast boats following US strikes that devastated its navy. This had limited Tehran’s ability to prevent an increase in oil exports through the strait.
Attacks Spread Beyond Strait Of Hormuz
Iran is also preparing to expand the geographical scope of its maritime operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman and waters farther afield, the two Iranian officials said.
Attacks may already be spreading beyond the strait as recent incidents have included ships targeted in waters off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Commercial shipping attacks around the Hormuz area have also increased sharply. Maritime security data showed at least five incidents involving tankers and other commercial vessels in the preceding 48 hours, including drone strikes.
The number of incidents was broadly comparable to the rate recorded between October 3 and October 5, according to data from the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations’ shipping agency. The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said in its latest report that the threat to merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remained “severe”, its second-highest threat level.
Iran Seeks To Keep Oil Prices High Ahead Of US Midterms
The conflict and its estimated monthly cost of $3 billion have become significant issues ahead of the US congressional midterm elections in November, which will determine control of Congress. US President Donald Trump has been weighing Washington’s next steps against Iran but has said he would not launch another attack before the vote.
Meanwhile, the United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports and extended sanctions as it seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran and secure a deal to end the conflict. The confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz has left global energy markets vulnerable to further disruption, with the threat of attacks and elevated shipping and insurance costs complicating efforts to restore normal maritime traffic.
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Ask News18Iran has shifted its offensive tactics by changing the type and pace of operations against vessels it views as violating its restrictions, and the IRGC has started using unarmed spotters on small boats to identify targets following US strikes.
Ask News18Delhi, India, India
October 14, 2026, 07:55 IST
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