NEW DELHI: A tragic incident unfolded in the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian cruise missiles targeted two UAE-flagged tankers, resulting in the death of an Indian crew member and injuries to eight others. The information was confirmed by the UAE Ministry of Defence early Tuesday.
The attack, which involved the tankers Mombasa and Bahia, occurred in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters, according to official reports. The incident marks a concerning escalation in the region, a critical maritime corridor.
Among the injured, six were Indian nationals and two hailed from Ukraine. Notably, four of the injured sustained serious wounds. The UAE defence ministry disclosed that the strikes not only claimed one life but also triggered significant fires onboard both vessels, causing material damage. Fortunately, the fires were eventually brought under control.
The UAE condemned the missile strike as a “serious violation and a clear breach of international law,” emphasizing its right to respond and the necessity to protect its territory and citizens.
The statement from the ministry indicated, “The state reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territories, people, and residents.” The UAE has also heightened its alert levels and urged the public to obtain information only from official sources.
This incident emerges amid rising military tensions within the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route often described as one of the globe’s most important maritime chokepoints. Recent reports from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency indicated that various “violating” vessels had been targeted in the area by Iranian forces. Moreover, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB relayed that the navy fired cruise missiles at a “hostile vessel of the American enemy,” although details regarding the targeted vessel remain unclear.
The situation has further deteriorated following a series of US airstrikes on Iran, leading to increased confrontations concerning control over the strategic strait. On Monday, the US Central Command (Centcom) initiated new airstrikes aimed at diminishing Tehran’s capability to threaten civilian and commercial shipping within the waterway.
“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” stated Centcom.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump declared that a blockade on Iranian shipping would be reinstated, announcing a 20 percent fee on eligible cargo transiting through the strait to offset security expenses. He emphasized, “We’re protecting a very rich portion of the world. We’re spending money. And so, what we’ve done is, we are going to be reimbursed for protection.” The blockade was set to resume on Tuesday and would apply to vessels moving to and from Iranian ports, while still permitting traffic not violating these restrictions.
