UAE Condemns Iran’s Tanker Attack as US Escalates Strait of Hormuz Blockade

By Blessing Nweke

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of carrying out a “brazen” attack on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving one crew member dead and eight others injured, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to escalate.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said Iranian cruise missiles struck the vessels on Monday night, killing an Indian national and injuring six Indians and two Ukrainians. Four of those wounded were reported to be in serious condition.

“The Ministry of Defense condemns this brazen attack, which constitutes a serious violation and a clear breach of international law,” the ministry said, warning that the incident threatened regional security and stability.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later confirmed that it targeted the two tankers, claiming they had ignored warnings, disabled navigation systems and attempted to pass through a mined route. The IRGC said the vessels were hit and disabled, warning that cooperation with Iran’s enemies would create further delays and contribute to a global energy crisis.

The confrontation comes as US President Donald Trump announced new measures aimed at controlling traffic through the strategic waterway. Trump said the United States would impose a 20% charge on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a renewed blockade of Iranian ports.

“We’re hitting them very hard,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the US was targeting Iran’s military capabilities while controlling the strait.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by saying Tehran would remain the “GUARDIAN” of the Strait of Hormuz, using Trump’s own terminology. He argued that Iran had historically protected the waterway and would continue doing so.

The US military said it launched strikes against Iranian military targets, including locations in Bushehr, Jask, Bandar Abbas and other areas, to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy routes, with a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it. The latest crisis has pushed oil prices higher and raised fears of a wider regional conflict. International shipping authorities have also questioned the legality of imposing fees on vessels using the waterway.