One Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured after two UAE-flagged oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, the attack targeted the tankers Mombasa and Bahia as they transited the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.
An Indian national aboard the Mombasa was killed in the strike. Eight crew members were injured, including four who sustained serious injuries. The injured comprised six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.
“The national tankers (Mombasa) and (Bahia) were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters,” the ministry said in a statement.
The missile strikes also sparked fires aboard both vessels, causing material damage. The fires were later brought under control, according to the ministry.
Condemning the attack, the UAE described it as a “serious violation and a clear breach of international law.” The ministry said the country reserved the right to respond and take all necessary measures to safeguard its territory, citizens, residents and national interests.
“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 statement said.
The UAE added that it remains on high alert and urged the public to rely only on official sources for updates.
Iran Reports Targeting Vessels as Hormuz Tensions Escalate
The incident comes amid rising military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.
Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian forces had targeted several “violating” vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. State broadcaster IRIB also reported that the Iranian Navy fired cruise missiles at what it described as a “hostile vessel of the American enemy,” citing an unnamed military source.
The latest escalation follows recent US strikes on Iran and growing confrontation over security and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had launched a fresh round of strikes against Iran aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to target civilian vessels and commercial shipping in 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,” CENTCOM said.
US President Donald Trump had earlier announced that Washington would reinstate a blockade on Iranian shipping and impose a 20% fee on eligible cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz to offset security costs.
“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,” Trump said.
The US military said the blockade would take effect on Tuesday and apply to vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports, while allowing ships complying with the restrictions to continue operating through the waterway.
