An attack in the Strait of Hormuz killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others when two UAE oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence reported.
The ministry stated that the ships Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were struck while passing through the southern part of the strait inside Omani waters. The deceased Indian national was aboard the Mombasa.
Four of the injured sustained serious injuries. Six wounded crew members were Indian and two were Ukrainian, according to the ministry.
Fires broke out on both vessels and caused major damage, but the crews extinguished the blazes and avoided a larger incident in a key global shipping route.
The UAE condemned the strikes as a serious breach of international law and said it would take steps to defend its sovereignty and maritime interests.
The ministry added that the country is ready to address any threat and respond firmly to actions that affect regional stability.
The incident occurred as tensions rose between the United States and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, has become a focus of the dispute.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker about 40 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Qalhat was hit by an unknown projectile, damaging its engine room, though all crew were safe.
It remains unclear if this report refers to one of the UAE tankers or another vessel.
The strikes followed increased hostilities. US President Donald Trump reinstated a blockade on Iranian shipping and warned of further action. US forces then carried out strikes on Iranian coastal systems, drones and missiles for a third night.
Iran rejected any external control over the strait and said its future would not be decided by outside powers.
The conflict has affected global energy markets and raised concerns about shipping safety. Before the fighting began, about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and gas trade passed through the strait daily.
