Iran has hit two UAE supertankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one sailor and injuring eight in an attack condemned by Emirati authorities.
The UAE Ministry of Defence said early on Tuesday that the Mombasa and Al Bahyah were struck by two Iranian cruise missiles in the south of the strait.
“The targeting resulted in the death of one crew member of the tanker Mombasa, of Indian nationality, and the injury of eight others, including four serious injuries,” the ministry said early on Tuesday.
Oman's Maritime Security Centre said later on Tuesday that 18 Al Bahyah crew members were rescued, while three remained missing.
Al Bahyah is a very large crude carrier (VLCC) owned and operated by Adnoc Logistics and Services, while the Mombasa B is operated by Adnoc L&S under a time-charter arrangement. Both ships “sustained significant damage in the attacks”.
The southern route is designated by Oman and the UN to keep vessels away from Iranian mines and its navy. An Iranian attack on the GFS Galaxy, a Cypriot-flagged vessel managed by a company in Dubai, on Saturday sparked an exchange of strikes.
“The Ministry of Defence condemns this brazen attack, which constitutes a serious violation and a clear breach of international law, threatening the security and stability of the region,” it added.
Marine tracking websites showed the crude oil carrier Mombasa and the LNG carrier Al Bahyah had been in the Khor Fokkan port area prior to the attack.
The UAE's Indian embassy expressed its condolences over the incident and pledged its support to those injured.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the local authorities to render all possible assistance to the injured and families," it said.
India's foreign ministry said 30 of the 46 crew on the two ships were its citizens.
"We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation", it added.
Oil prices surged to a four-week high after the latest exchange of fire between the US and Iran.
Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday that a tanker had been hit by a projectile while travelling 40 nautical miles north-east of Qalhat in Oman. The UKMTO said the tanker's master said the projectile struck the starboard engine room and that all crew were safe.
It is not yet clear whether the UKMTO report referred to the same incident as the one reported by the UAE ministry.
