Several oil and gas tankers have turned back from the Strait of Hormuz. This action follows renewed attacks on vessels in the critical waterway. A Qatari LNG tanker and a Saudi crude oil tanker were damaged near the strait. Maritime authorities have raised the threat risk for transiting vessels to severe. Indian refiner Mangalore Refinery cancelled a crude oil charter from Iraq.

Iran has repeatedly said that vessels should only transit the strait through the route designated and authorized by the Islamic Republic.

Oil and gas tankers navigate the Oman-side route in Hormuz after U-turns, amid rising tensions and shipping risks.