Authorities confirmed that three additional foreign ships were attacked in the Persian Gulf overnight, with the attacks growing on vessels that transit or pass near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The most recent incidents follow after three separate vessels reported damage in Gulf waters on Wednesday, and Iran warns that oil prices could climb to $200 a barrel.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported on Thursday that a container ship was hit with an unknown projectile approximately 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, one of the most important ports in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This incident resulted in a small fire on board, and none of the crew was reported dead.
Previously, two foreign oil tankers had been abandoned in a blaze in Iraqi waters after being hit off the port of Umm Qasr, which is situated in the city of Basra.
According to multiple media reports, at least one casualty was reported in the attack, citing Iraqi port officials, and 38 crew members were rescued from the ships. Iraq’s General Company for Ports was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC.
Traffic across the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a significant portion of shipping traffic, has been brought to a near standstill after the U.S. and Israel engaged in airstrikes against Iran on February 28.
Iran has responded by attacking ships attempting to traverse the strait, and multiple incidents have been reported in recent days.
Meanwhile, the narrow waterway is a significant maritime corridor that links the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas usually flows through it. The Gulf has witnessed increased attacks on commercial ships, which have compounded concerns over a protracted economic shock.
As per Reuters, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s military command, said on Wednesday, “Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilised.”
Crude prices soared on Thursday morning, with traders attentively tracking supply risks, and seemingly shaking off the International Energy Agency’s drive to release a record $400 million barrels of oil.
International benchmark Brent crude futures with May delivery traded 5.7 percent higher at $97.16 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures with April delivery surged 5.3 percent at $91.88.
The IEA on Wednesday did not specify the time frame through which the stocks would enter the market. It indicated that the reserves would be discharged within the period that is befitting to the situations of every one of its 32 member states.
