On the map: navigation routes targeted by Iran in the Gulf compared to an alternative route it established

(CNN) - Concerns are increasing about the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after the waters near it witnessed the sinking of two cargo ships in two separate incidents, as a result of being exposed to projectiles of unknown origin. This comes in light of the escalation of Iranian attacks and Tehran's efforts to once again tighten its grip on one of the most important sea lanes for global trade.

According to the Ports and Maritime Authority of Singapore, the container ship "GFS Pride", registered in Singapore, was attacked while crossing the strait on Tuesday, causing a fire to break out on board before it later sank, while all members of its crew were evacuated safely.

While the official Iranian Press TV channel reported that the ship collided with a sea mine while sailing on an unauthorized route, experts doubted this story, suggesting that the ship had been attacked by a drone.

The merchant ship "Cape Dao" - registered in Antigua and Barbuda - also sank, according to data issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), on Wednesday, after being hit by a shell on September 23. As a result, one of its Indian crew members was killed.

Although many ships have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz this year, these are only the second and third ships to sink in the Middle East since tensions with Iran began in February, according to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The frequency of attacks has escalated significantly since late September, once again reducing the volume of oil shipped from the Middle East and raising global oil prices.

This matter has been a continuing source of concern for US President Donald Trump, as the midterm congressional elections approach, especially since issues such as fuel prices, customs duties, and other factors that raise the cost of living are at the top of the concerns of many voters.

Data from UK Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors maritime incidents, shows how high the risk is; Nine attacks have been reported in or near the Strait of Hormuz since Monday, including a drone attack that targeted an oil tanker.

Only 4.147 million barrels of oil successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, which is less than a quarter of the levels recorded before the war, according to data from Kpler, a company specializing in tracking maritime shipping traffic. The company's data also shows that the average 7-day flow of oil through the Strait has declined sharply since the beginning of October.

The US military continues to impose a blockade on Iranian ports to maintain economic pressure on Iran. This step has paid off - to some extent - as the Iranian economy is suffering from a severe collapse, and Tehran has clearly lost in recent months the pressure card it had regarding the Strait, in light of the increase in the quantities of oil flowing through the waterway from other Gulf countries to approaching its normal levels.