UAE reports missile strikes on two oil tankers by Iran in Hormuz Strait, injuring crew and escalating regional tensions.
The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates has announced that two tankers connected to the oil industry were attacked by Iran while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that the two oil-related tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz were targeted by missile strikes from Iran. The ministry reacted strongly, stating that the attack is a clear violation of international law.
According to the statement, the tankers named Mombasa (likely VLCC Mombasa B, IMO 9739501) and Bahia (likely VLCC Al Bahyah, IMO 9937799), which were sailing on the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters, were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles.
During the attack, eight crew members on board the vessels were injured, with reports indicating that the condition of four of them is serious. It was reported that an Indian national serving on the Mombasa B vessel lost his life.
Following the missile strikes, fires broke out on both tankers; however, it was stated that the fires were brought under control thanks to the efforts of the ship's crew and response teams.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defense said, 'We strongly condemn this brazen attack. This incident is a serious and clear violation of international law. Our state reserves the right to take all necessary measures against this escalation and to protect its territory, citizens, and those living in the country.'
The attack is noted to have occurred following a resurgence of tensions between Iran and the United States. After the U.S. reactivated its maritime blockade against Iran, the Tehran administration announced that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic.
The Oman route, used under U.S. surveillance, operates as an alternative passage to the Strait of Hormuz. It is reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards view this route as a direct challenge to Tehran's control over the strait.
The United Arab Emirates is among the countries that use the Oman route most intensively. The country transports crude oil from the Arabian Gulf to a mooring area off Khor Fakkan in the Oman Gulf via tankers and dispatches it to international markets using the ship-to-ship (STS) transfer method.
According to AIS records, the Mombasa B and Al Bahyah tankers were engaged in these transportation activities at the beginning of June and July, while it has been observed that both vessels have not conducted commercial activities for the past week.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
