The UAE Ministry of Defence reported a deadly incident in the Strait of Hormuz, where two oil tankers operated by the UAE came under attack. The vessels, named Mombasa and Al Bahyah, were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while navigating a critical maritime passage. This assault resulted in the death of an Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa and left eight others injured, with four of those individuals sustaining severe injuries.
In response to the attack, the UAE denounced the act as a grave breach of international law, posing threats to both regional security and maritime navigation. The damage inflicted on both tankers was considerable, raising alarm over the safety of shipping routes in the area. Meanwhile, the Maritime Security Centre in Oman reported that 18 crew members from the Al Bahyah were rescued, although three remain unaccounted for.
India, with 30 of its nationals among the 46 crew members on board the two vessels, condemned the attack and expressed its condolences for the loss of life. The Indian government pledged cooperation with local authorities to provide assistance to those affected by the incident. The Indian community and government are closely monitoring the situation as they work to ensure the welfare of their citizens involved in the attack.
This latest aggression has exacerbated existing tensions in the region, leading to a spike in global oil prices, which have reached their highest point in four weeks. The attack highlights the vulnerability of vessels traversing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies, and underscores the ongoing risk to international shipping in this strategically important waterway.