Although no one has claimed responsibility, the U.S. and Israel are pointing fingers at Iran for the drone attack on an oil tanker hit off the coast of Oman on Tuesday. Tanker Pacific Zircon appears to have incurred minor damage with no reports of injury or pollution. In 2021 there were numerous attacks on tankers in the same region coinciding with rising tensions between Tehran and the Western allies. Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan believes Iran’s arsenal of longer-range armed drones will put pressure on the shipping industry, with especially harmful consequences for Asia.
Excerpted from Peter’s Nov. 17 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:
In the early hours of November 16th, an oil tanker was struck by an armed drone off the coast of Oman. Strikes like this might not sink a ship with 1 or even 5 hits…but it is a sign of the changing times in maritime shipping.
As I mention in the transport section of my latest book – The End of the World is just the Beginning – “Inhibit [safe and cheap transport] and the rest of…everything simply falls apart.” What we saw yesterday was only the tip of the iceberg.
As the safety of the world’s shipping industry becomes more vulnerable, prices will increase and the long-range trade and maritime shipping the world has grown accustomed to will be changed forever.