DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates on Saturday condemned what it said was an Iranian missile attack on a vessel linked to state oil company ADNOC while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the latest reported incident involving commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
The UAE Foreign Ministry described the incident as a “hostile Iranian attack” and accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guards of targeting commercial shipping and using the strait as a means of economic pressure. It said the attack violated a U.N. Security Council resolution concerning freedom of navigation and called on Iran to halt such attacks and reopen the waterway fully and unconditionally.
State news agency WAM initially reported that ADNOC said one of its vessels had been targeted by a missile early on Saturday and that the situation was under control. The UAE and ADNOC did not identify the vessel or disclose its cargo or the extent of any damage. No injuries were reported.
The latest incident adds to a series of attacks on shipping since a U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on Feb. 28. ADNOC said on Friday that 15 of its vessels had been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began, including three attacks during the past week. The company said those attacks had killed one crew member and injured 20 others, although it did not assign responsibility for the incidents in its statement.
The Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Oman, is a major global energy route. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the narrow waterway. Repeated disruptions since the outbreak of hostilities have increased security concerns and shipping costs.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have previously threatened action against vessels transiting the strait if they are linked to Tehran's adversaries or fail to comply with Iranian directives, according to Reuters. The latest UAE allegation comes as maritime traffic through the waterway remains under heightened security scrutiny.
ADNOC said it remained committed to meeting customer requirements despite what it described as an exceptionally challenging operating environment. The company has been working with authorities and strengthening measures to protect personnel and assets as attacks on commercial shipping continue.
