UAE says ADNOC tanker struck in Strait of Hormuz as Gulf states condemn attack

The United Arab Emirates says one of ADNOC's tankers was struck by a missile while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, according to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No casualties were reported.

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The ministry said the vessel was hit while transiting the strategic waterway and accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps of carrying out what it described as an act of piracy. ADNOC confirmed that one of its ships had been targeted by a missile while crossing the strait, but did not give details on damage or the vessel's exact position at the time of the attack. The UAE called on Tehran to stop the attacks and reopen the strait fully and unconditionally.

The strike comes after ADNOC said on Friday that it had been significantly affected by what it described as unprovoked attacks on its personnel and assets. The company said 15 of its vessels had been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the strait since the start of the conflict, including three this week. ADNOC said one crew member had been killed and 20 others injured in those attacks, while continuing to meet customer requirements in what it called an exceptionally challenging environment.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, and any disruption there can affect shipping, insurance costs and wider market confidence. The UAE said using the waterway as a tool for pressure or economic blackmail threatened regional stability and global energy security. The latest accusation also adds to long-running tensions over maritime security in the Gulf, where states have repeatedly warned that attacks on commercial shipping could have consequences beyond the immediate region.

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The response from Gulf and Arab governments was swift. The Gulf Cooperation Council's secretary-general, Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi, condemned the attack as a dangerous and unacceptable escalation and called for international action to protect maritime navigation. Qatar also condemned the strike and rejected the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip, while Saudi Arabia said it condemned the targeting of the tanker.

The statements underline the degree to which regional governments see the waterway's security as a shared concern. What remains unclear is the extent of any damage to the tanker and whether the attack will lead to further disruption in the strait. The UAE has not provided a more detailed public assessment of the vessel's condition, and ADNOC has not identified who it believes was responsible.

The next developments to watch are any further official statements from Abu Dhabi, Tehran or maritime security bodies, and whether shipping through the strait is affected in the coming hours and days.

#UnitedArabEmirates #ADNOC #StraitofHormuz #Iran #maritimesecurity

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