Skip to main content
TWI logo The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
logo
wordmark
Homepage

Main navigation

  • تحلیل‌ها
  • کارشناسان
  • درباره‌ما
  • پشتیبانی
  • نقشه و چند رسانه‌ای
مباحث روز :
  • دمکراسی و اصلاح
  • تروریسم
  • لبنان
  • ایران
  • اسرائیل
  • سوریه

منطقه‌ها و کشورها

  • اردن
  • اسرائیل
  • ایران
  • ترکیه
  • خاورمیانه
  • سوریه
  • شمال آفریقا
  • عراق
  • فلسطینی‌ها
  • لبنان
  • مصر
  • کشورهای حاشیه‌خلیج فارس

موضوع

  • انرژی و اقتصاد
  • تروریسم
  • خلیج و سیاست حوزه انرژی
  • دمکراسی و اصلاح
  • رقابت قدرت‌های بزرگ
  • روابط عرب و اسرائیل
  • سیاست آمریکا
  • عرب و اسلام سیاسی
  • فرایند صلح
  • منع اشاعه
  • نظامی و امنیتی
TWI English
TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

Maritime Spotlight

Maritime Spotlight draws on data covering maritime attacks in strategic Middle East waterways since 2019, along with related data on the security and energy sectors, to analyze:

• Risks to shipping

• Risks to freedom of navigation

• Uses of disruptive technologies

• Associated trends affecting U.S. foreign policy in the region

View the interactive map tracking these maritime attacks.

Articles in this Series

Screenshot excerpt of a StoryMap covering maritime attacks in the Middle East.
Maps & Graphics
Articles & Testimony
Tracking Maritime Attacks in the Middle East Since 2019
An interactive map showing the extent to which Houthi forces, their Iranian military patrons, and other actors have been targeting vessels in regional waterways for years, including well before the Hamas-Israel war.
۳ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight
Screenshot from MarineTraffic shows tracks of the Marina between Cyprus and Syria on March 28, 2025.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hezbollah-Linked LPG Tanker Sails to East Mediterranean
Past ties between the Marina and the Lebanese terrorist group, along with the ship’s deceptive practices at sea, merit U.S. scrutiny.
۲۸ مارس ۲۰۲۵
◆
  • Noam Raydan
◆ Maritime Spotlight
Djibouti-flagged Lahar oil tanker
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
What Does the Red Sea Crisis Reveal About Sanctioned Ships?
Two sanctioned Russia-linked oil tankers, which were attacked by the Houthis in 2023 and 2024, recently changed their names and are flying the Djiboutian flag amid stricter Western sanctions.
۱۷ ژانویهٔ ۲۰۲۵
◆
  • Noam Raydan
◆ Maritime Spotlight
EU vessel participating in Operation Aspides against the Houthis.
Maps & Graphics
The Ship Operators Shrugging Off Houthi Attacks
While major operators will continue to avoid the Red Sea in 2025, others are launching new services in the high-risk waterway, including some that manage China-linked vessels.
۱۶ اکتبر ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
◆ Maritime Spotlight
A Russia-linked ship on the Red Sea.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Even After Houthi Attacks, Russia-Linked Tankers Return to Red Sea
The operators are either accepting risk on a vital transport route or else no longer concerned about perceptions about their vessels’ past links to Britain.
۲۲ اوت ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
◆ Maritime Spotlight
Houthi missile hits Chios Lion tanker, Red Sea, July 2024.
Maps & Graphics
Houthi Attacks on Russia-Linked Tankers
Available data suggests the Yemeni group has been going after vessels carrying Russian cargo, particularly if an operator's ships have visited Israeli ports.
۲۶ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight
A screenshot from MarineTraffic shows the past tracks of the livestock carrier Shorthorn Express (IMO 9167318), which as of July 2, 2024, was sailing toward the British Isles.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Are the Houthis Attacking Ships in the Mediterranean?
Direct strikes from the Yemeni group are unlikely at the moment, but a more aggressive Hezbollah could alter the threat picture.
۳ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight
Marshall Islands–flagged bulk carrier Laax (IMO 9512355), which was attacked in the southern Red Sea on May 28, 2024. photo obtained via the X/Twitter account of French forces stationed in the UAE and deployed in the Indian Ocean, https://x.com/FFEAU_ALINDIEN/status/1795837694960189920.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Behind Houthi Attacks on Ships Operated by Greece-Based Companies
Links to Israel-linked companies, especially in light of the Rafah invasion, are again the culprit.
۳۱ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight
A Houthi propaganda image published by the group's al-Masirah TV network.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Assessing the Latest Houthi Maritime Threats
Even increased aggressive activity in the Indian Ocean will be unlikely to seriously disrupt maritime traffic and global trade—but vessels calling on Israeli ports will need to take extra precautions.
۱۶ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight
The car carrier Hyperion Ray (IMO 9690559) was struck near Fujairah, UAE, in April 2021. The ship was owned by Israel-based Ray Shipping Ltd when it was attacked. Photo credit: Rick Voice via MarineTraffic.com.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Pay Attention to Ship Seizures, Not Threats to Close Strait of Hormuz
Low-key actions like seizures can increase regional and global concerns and increase Iran's leverage.
۲۹ آوریل ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight
The container ship Jin Shun He (IMO 9144316) docked at the port of NEOM in Oxagon. Photo credit: Photo credit: @NEOMOxagon, posted on X (formerly Twitter), April 15, 2024, https://x.com/NEOMOxagon/status/1779799779230302424. .
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Amid Red Sea Crisis, Saudi Company Launches North Shipping Service
Riyadh’s aim to become a global logistics hub connecting three continents will face challenges if risks to southern Red Sea shipping persist at their current levels.
۲۰ آوریل ۲۰۲۴
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
◆ Maritime Spotlight

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

Sign up

Background image with TWI branding
logo
wordmark
Homepage

1111 19th Street NW - Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-452-0650
Fax: 202-223-5364

Footer contact links

  • تماس
  • اتاق خبر
  • Subscribe

هدف انستیتو واشنگتن، تعمیق درکی متعادل و واقع‌بینانه از منافع آمریکا در خاورمیانه و نیز پیشبردِ سیاست‌هایی برای حفظ آن منافع است.

انستیتو واشنگتن یک سازمان غیرانتفاعی دارای مجوز 501(c)3 است که تمامی کمک‌های مالی به آن شامل معافیت مالیاتی خواهد شد.

Footer quick links

  • درباره انستیتو واشنگتن
  • پشتیبانی از انستیتو
  • Alumni

Social media

  • The Washington Institute on Facebook facebook
  • The Washington Institute on X x
  • The Washington Institute on YouTube youtube
  • The Washington Institute on LinkedIn linkedin

© 2025 کلیه حقوق محفوظ است

Footer

  • استخدام
  • حریم خصوصی
  • حقوق و مجوزها