LONDON, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Satellite imagery and multi-source intelligence suggest Iran may be deploying fast-attack boat formations to escort vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a London-headquartered maritime analytics firm said Sunday.
Windward said in a social media post that a bulk carrier was observed sailing through the strait with what appeared to be a formation of high-speed craft nearby, which could indicate an escort operation.
According to its monitoring data, multiple clusters of high-speed craft activity were observed on Saturday, including five formations comprising more than 80 fast boats moving northward.
On the same day, six vessels entered the Gulf via the strait, including two very large crude carriers, two bulk carriers and two oil tankers, while one very large crude carrier exited the Gulf.
The Financial Times reported Saturday that Iran maintains hundreds of fast-attack craft forming a fleet, dispersed along its southern coast and concealed in coves, caves and tunnels.
It added that "the flotilla of small boats has faced off against the might of the US Navy," while playing an integral role in what the report described as an effective blockade that has strained global energy flows and increased pressure on the United States. ■
