The Strait of Hormuz just had its worst day of attacks since the war began

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is facing its most intense period of attacks since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began about seven months ago. Six vessels were attacked on Sunday alone — five tankers and one container ship — the worst single day of the conflict, according to Financial Times calculations based on U.K. Maritime Trade Operations reports and European security sources.

At least 12 tankers were attacked in the past week, and 24 ships were hit in the two weeks to Oct. 11 — nearly double the previous worst fortnight of 13 in March. Two Indian seafarers from one product tanker are reported missing. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed Monday it struck a supertanker running with its transponders off — a claim that has not been independently confirmed. Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Iranian forces strike an average of five "smuggling ships" nightly.

The escalation is pulling Washington back in. Trump said Tuesday a decision on Iran could come "very soon." The Pentagon is sending a third carrier strike group plus a Marine expeditionary unit, expected to arrive in November. Axios reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Trump last week to resume strikes before Israel's Oct. 27 election — a claim denied by Netanyahu's office and a White House official.

The Canadian angle: roughly a fifth of the world's petroleum passes through the strait, and Brent crude is trading above $106. Higher shipping insurance and energy prices feed directly into Canadian fuel costs and the inflation picture — and into the oil and gas revenues that shape Alberta's economy.