UAE condemns Iran's missile strike on tankers, resulting in casualties, as Trump announces a naval blockade with a toll on cargo transit.
The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of a 'brazen' cruise missile attack on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that killed one crew member and wounded eight. This incident coincided with US President Donald Trump announcing a naval blockade with a 20 percent charge on all cargo transiting the waterway, reported BBC News.
The UAE Ministry of Defence stated that six of the injured were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian. It condemned the attack as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the strikes, asserting that the tankers ignored warnings and attempted to pass through a mined route.
Trump stated that the US was 'hitting them very hard' with strikes for the third consecutive night, targeting Iranian military sites at Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas. He declared that the US would be 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT' and impose a 20 percent toll on all cargo shipped through the passage.
In response, Iran's foreign minister asserted that Tehran had always been the Strait's guardian and would remain so 'forever,' but criticized Trump's proposed fee as excessive.
Following the news, oil prices rose, with Brent crude up 0.7 percent to $83.87 a barrel after a 9 percent jump the previous day. US traded oil gained 0.9 percent to $79.04.
The International Maritime Organization stated that there was 'no legal basis' for mandatory tolls on straits used for international navigation. Analysts warned that even if hostilities ease, shipping flows could take months to normalize, with oil prioritized over other cargoes.
