ABU DHABI — Two United Arab Emirates oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian crew member and injuring eight others, the UAE Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, marking a sharp escalation in attacks on commercial shipping in one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
The ministry said the tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were sailing in the southern shipping lane within Omani territorial waters when they were hit. Fires broke out aboard both vessels but were later brought under control, although the ships sustained significant damage.
According to the ministry, the crew member who died was an Indian national serving aboard the Mombasa. Eight other crew members were wounded, including four who suffered serious injuries. The injured included six Indian nationals and two Ukrainians.
In a statement, the UAE condemned the strike as a "blatant attack" and said it constituted a serious violation of international law that threatened regional security and stability. The ministry said the country reserved the right to respond to the escalation and would take all necessary measures to protect its territory, population and strategic assets.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the tankers had ignored military warnings and used what it described as a prohibited route through the waterway. Reuters was not able to independently verify the IRGC's account.
The incident came amid intensifying hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel, with military operations expanding across the Gulf region and increasing risks to commercial shipping. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported another tanker in nearby waters had been struck by an unidentified projectile, underscoring the deteriorating security environment.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Recent attacks have disrupted vessel movements and heightened concerns over the security of international energy supplies.
The UAE Ministry of Defence urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid circulating unverified reports as authorities continued to monitor the situation. No further casualties or additional attacks involving the two tankers had been officially reported as of Tuesday.
