UAE Blames Iran for Missile Attack on Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

Missile Attack on UAE-Flagged Tankers

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching a missile strike on two oil tankers flying the UAE flag in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of one Indian crew member and injuries to eight others. According to a statement released on Monday by the UAE Ministry of Defence, the vessels were hit by two Iranian cruise missiles while navigating the southern shipping lane of the Strait, within Omani territorial waters. The ministry confirmed that one Indian crew member lost his life, and eight others sustained injuries, with four of them in serious condition. Fires erupted on both tankers but have since been extinguished. Among the injured are six Indians and two Ukrainians, as reported by the ministry.

The UAE condemned this act as a "serious violation of international law" and asserted its right to respond and take all necessary actions to safeguard its sovereignty and security. This incident follows reports from Iranian state media, which claimed that the Iranian navy had targeted what it referred to as a "hostile vessel of the American enemy," citing an unnamed military source. Additionally, IRIB reported on various attacks throughout the Gulf region as tensions escalate beyond Iran's borders. In another statement, Iran's military announced it had deployed drones aimed at US military installations in Kuwait, including a Patriot missile defense system. This exchange of hostilities occurs amid rising military tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime trade route.

Trump's Announcement of Renewed Blockade

The missile strike coincided with the announcement from the Donald Trump administration regarding the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports. The US military indicated that this blockade, which was previously enforced from April to June, would recommence late on Tuesday. Trump also stated that the United States would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% fee on cargo traversing this strategic waterway. He expressed on social media, "The United States will control the Strait of Hormuz, and will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World." This proposal represents a notable change, as US officials had earlier asserted that international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should remain toll-free.

This is a Developing Story and will be updated soon