UAE accuses Iran of killing oil tanker crew

The ministry stated on its X account that the oil tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were attacked by two cruise missiles while sailing through Oman’s territorial waters.

“The attack resulted in the death of one Indian crew member on board the tanker Mombasa and injuries to eight others, including four with serious injuries,” the statement said.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, “the attack also caused material damage to both tankers due to fires that started on board, which have since been controlled.”

“The UAE reserves the right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents, in order to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability, and protect its national interests,” the message further reads.

The attack was reported hours after US Central Command (Centcom) announced the start of the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, ordered by President Donald Trump.

According to Centcom’s statement on its X account, the bombings aim to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilians and commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. These operations began just minutes after the Republican ruler stated, in an interview, that the Persian nation would be hit “very hard” that same night.

The new US offensive comes after Trump announced the resumption of the naval blockade against Iran and declared that Washington would assume the role of “guardian of the Strait of Hormuz”, one of the most important maritime routes for global energy trade.

The Iranian Armed Forces, in turn, warned that they will not, “under any circumstances”, allow the US to “interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz”.

The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 to end the war, unblock the Strait of Hormuz and begin negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, but tensions have risen in recent days due to renewed fighting in the Middle East.