The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a major flashpoint in the six-month conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, with dozens of incidents involving commercial vessels in the strategically important waterway.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has confirmed 68 incidents in the Gulf and surrounding waters, averaging one incident every 2.6 days.
The UN maritime agency reported that at least 20 seafarers and port workers were killed across the incidents, while 35 others were injured and one person remains missing.
Tankers accounted for about half of the incidents, while container ships represented 20 per cent and bulk carriers 15 per cent.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) classified 47 of the 68 incidents as attacks.
Liberia-flagged vessels were the most frequently affected, featuring in 13 incidents. Panama and Marshall Islands-flagged vessels followed, with 10 incidents each.
Iran-flagged vessels were involved in four of the reported incidents.
The frequency of incidents has varied throughout the different stages of the conflict.
From the start of the war in late February until an agreement establishing a framework for peace talks was reached in mid-June, incidents occurred roughly once every 2.3 days.
That period accounted for 16 of the reported deaths and 19 injuries. Incidents were recorded across the Gulf, both east and west of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as near the coasts of Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
As peace negotiations continued until around July 7, the frequency of incidents dropped significantly to approximately one every 4.6 days.
No seafarers or other maritime workers were reported killed, injured or missing during that period.
Four of the five incidents recorded at the time occurred near the Omani coast, around the narrowest section of the Strait. The vessels involved were reportedly using a route that had not been authorised by Iranian authorities.
Iran had previously warned vessels against using the alternative route, with Tehran seeking to retain control of the waterway after the conflict and potentially charge fees for passage.
Following the collapse of the peace talks, maritime incidents increased again, reaching an average of one every 2.8 days.
Four seafarers or maritime workers have been killed during this latest period, while 16 others were injured and one remains missing.
Iran has maintained control of the strategically important energy route since the conflict began. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz has become a key priority for the United States because of its importance to global oil and gas supplies.
However, Tehran has insisted that the waterway will remain closed until Washington lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, removes oil sanctions and unfreezes Iranian assets held abroad.
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