An Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured after two United Arab Emirates-owned oil tankers were reportedly struck by Iranian cruise missiles near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said the attack occurred while the two tankers were sailing through Omani territorial waters along the southern route of the strategic waterway. The vessels, identified by ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S) as Mombasa Bee and Al Bahiyah, were carrying crude oil when they came under attack.
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The deceased crew member was aboard the Mombasa Bee, while the injured included six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian citizens. Four of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, both tankers caught fire following the strikes, causing significant damage. Emergency teams later brought the fires under control, preventing further destruction.
ADNOC L&S confirmed that both vessels sustained damage while transiting the Strait of Hormuz but did not immediately provide additional operational details.
In response to the incident, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador in New Delhi to seek an explanation over the attack involving UAE-owned vessels and Indian nationals.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for targeting two “supertankers” in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC alleged that the ships ignored repeated warnings, switched off their navigation systems and attempted to sail through what it described as a mined maritime route.
However, the Iranian statement did not identify the vessels or confirm whether they were the same tankers named by the UAE authorities.
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The latest incident further heightens tensions in the Gulf, where escalating military confrontations have raised concerns over the security of one of the world’s most critical energy shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of global oil exports, making any disruption a major concern for international energy markets.