ABU DHABI, UAE — In a major escalation of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has confirmed that two of its national oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The targeted strikes, which occurred in the southern shipping lane of the strait within Omani territorial waters, have left at least one crew member dead and eight others injured.
Casualties and Ship Damage Reported
The UAE Ministry of Defence identified the two affected vessels as the Mombasa and the Al Bahiyah.
According to official statements:
- The Deceased: One Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa was killed in the strike.
- The Injured: Eight other crew members sustained injuries, with four currently in serious condition. The casualties comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.
- Vessel Status: The missile impacts sparked significant fires on board both tankers. While both vessels suffered material damage, emergency response teams have successfully brought the blazes under control.
UAE Denounces “Act of Piracy” and Asserts Right to Respond
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has condemned the strike in the strongest possible terms, calling it a “blatant” and “hostile” attack.
Abu Dhabi warned that it retains its full right to respond to the escalation, declaring that its defense forces are on high alert to protect national sovereignty and maritime security.
“Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail constitutes an act of piracy and poses a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security,” the Ministry statement read.
The UAE further stated that the attack represents a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which guarantees the freedom of international navigation.
A Region on the Brink of War
This dangerous escalation comes amid rapidly worsening regional hostilities. The region has been on a knife-edge following the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) move to close the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most critical oil chokepoint—which triggered retaliatory U.S. airstrikes on over 140 targets across Iran.
The strike also coincides with an announcement by the United States that it is reinstating a strict naval blockade on maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
Global energy markets have reacted sharply to the news, with crude oil prices surging as traders brace for potential disruptions in the global oil supply. No official statement has been issued by Tehran regarding the missile strikes.
