The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported on Saturday that Iran attacked a state-owned oil vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the third incident of this nature within the week. Two ships owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were also targeted by drones on Thursday, indicating an escalation in tensions in the region. Iranian forces have been intermittently launching drones and missiles at oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz over recent months as negotiations with the United States to resolve ongoing conflicts have stalled.
The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks, with a diplomatic advisor to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stating that the country will protect its rights to freedom of navigation. The ministry described the attack as a violation of UN Security Council resolution 2817, which emphasizes the importance of free navigation and condemns the targeting of commercial vessels.
Before the conflict escalated on February 28, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has become a focal point for failed negotiations between Iran and the U.S., with both nations asserting claims over this critical shipping route.
On Friday, President Donald Trump stated he would declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory following a defeat of Iran. In response, Iran’s deputy foreign minister asserted that the waterway has always been and will remain Iranian. Trump also commented on the rise in gas prices due to the conflict, suggesting that it is a necessary cost to prevent Iran, labeled as the number one state sponsor of terror, from acquiring nuclear weapons.
No casualties were reported from the drone strikes on Thursday or Friday. Additionally, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.