Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Gulf countries on Tuesday denounced the reported Iranian missile strikes on two UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the incident could disrupt maritime security and global energy supplies.
The UAE said the vessels Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were hit while traveling through the southern shipping route of the strait within Omani territorial waters.
The attack left one Indian crew member dead and eight others injured, including six Indian nationals and two Ukrainians, according to the UAE Foreign Ministry.
The UAE government said the strikes violated international protections for commercial shipping and freedom of navigation, adding that the use of the strategic waterway for pressure or conflict endangered regional stability.
Abu Dhabi called on Iran to stop what it described as aggressive actions, end hostilities and allow the unrestricted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to protect trade routes.
Bahrain and Kuwait also condemned the incident, describing it as a serious breach of international law and a threat to maritime safety. Both countries expressed support for the UAE and urged stronger international action to prevent further attacks.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) likewise criticized the strikes, with Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi saying the group supported measures to protect the UAE’s security and maintain safe navigation in the waterway.
The latest incident came amid worsening tensions between the United States and Iran following renewed military exchanges in the region. The escalation followed the collapse of a ceasefire arrangement reached through Qatar and Pakistan, after US President Donald Trump declared on July 8 that the truce had ended.