Predictions
- Further attacks on Gulf shipping likely as Israel continues efforts to disrupt nuclear programme, with Iran taking fewer steps to avoid fatalities
- Israel-linked ships will remain primary targets, but other countries’ maritime interests in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman will face collateral risks
- US sanctions to disrupt drone procurement likely if efforts to restore JCPOA continue to stall or fail, but will have little impact on Iran’s capabilities
Event
The Liberian-flagged Mercer Street, an oil tanker managed by the Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime, was attacked with a drone packed with military-grade explosives early on 30 July, killing a British and a Romanian crew member. Hours earlier, two further armed drones had attempted to attack the vessel northeast of Masirah Island off the coast of Oman.
Falanx Assynt is a global intelligence consultancy and leading provider of geopolitical, strategic and business risk analysis since 2003. Falanx Assynt is part of Falanx Group Ltd (LON:FLX) which, through its subsidiaries, provides cyber defence and intelligence services to blue chip and government clients worldwide.