Brief
Iran‑linked vessel sinks and US destroys dhow as Hormuz attacks surge
Iran claims a Singapore‑registered container ship sank after a mine strike, while US Central Command says it destroyed an Iranian‑linked dhow in the Gulf of Oman.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On October 15, 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the Singapore‑registered container ship GFS Pride sank after hitting a mine south of the Strait of Hormuz, while US Central Command reported that US forces destroyed an Iranian‑linked dhow in the Gulf of Oman on October 6.
What happened
The IRGC announced that the GFS Pride sank after a projectile struck the vessel; all 21 crew members were rescued, according to Singapore authorities. A second Singapore‑registered vessel, the GFS Giselle, was also hit the same day but managed to leave the area under its own power. US Central Command said its forces destroyed a dhow it identified as conducting surveillance and targeting US Navy ships, though it did not name the vessel.
What the reports add
Gulf News noted that Maritime Executive recorded six merchant ships attacked on a Sunday and four more on a Tuesday, bringing the month’s total to up to 24 vessels, a figure also cited by the Financial Times. A US military official told Reuters that, after US actions reduced Iran’s radar capability, the IRGC began using “unarmed spotters” – small craft and dhows – to identify targets, a claim without independent verification. Iran’s navy, on October 13, said it had deployed operational units east of Hormuz and across the Gulf of Oman for real‑time surveillance.
What was said
Iran’s IRGC claimed the GFS Pride sank after a mine impact, while Singapore’s ship registry said a projectile struck the vessel but did not confirm a mine. US Central Command stated the dhow was destroyed for surveillance and targeting activities, but offered no further details. The US military official quoted by Reuters suggested the IRGC’s shift to unarmed spotters after US radar strikes, though Iran has not commented on that allegation.
How it came about
These incidents follow a two‑week surge in Hormuz shipping attacks that Felo previously reported in 24 vessels attacked in two weeks as Hormuz shipping crisis deepens. The ongoing US‑Iran war has prompted the UAE to reroute trade, with about 40% of Gulf crude now bypassing Hormuz via pipelines, according to Kpler data cited in earlier coverage.
Key facts
- Iran’s IRGC says the Singapore‑registered container ship GFS Pride sank after a mine strike south of the Strait of Hormuz. (gulfnews.com)
- All 21 crew members of the GFS Pride were rescued, according to Singapore authorities. (gulfnews.com)
- US Central Command reported destroying an Iranian‑linked dhow in the Gulf of Oman on October 6. (gulfnews.com)
- Six merchant ships were attacked on a Sunday and four on a Tuesday, bringing the month’s total to up to 24 vessels. (gulfnews.com)
- A US military official told Reuters that the IRGC began using unarmed spotters after US radar capability was reduced. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “US-Iran war: Ships sunk, flights cancelled, trade rerouted — your Oct. 15 briefing”
