In a perilous incident in the Strait of Hormuz, a crew member has died and eight others have been injured following an attack on two oil tankers operated by the United Arab Emirates. According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, the vessels, named Mombasa and Al Bahyah, were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while navigating the southern corridor of the critical maritime passage.
The attack resulted in the tragic death of an Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa, with four of the eight injured individuals sustaining severe injuries. The UAE has reported that both tankers have incurred substantial damage and has denounced the assault as a grave breach of international law, posing significant threats to regional security and maritime navigation.
In response to the incident, Oman’s Maritime Security Centre has intervened, successfully rescuing 18 crew members from the Al Bahyah, while efforts continue to locate the three who remain missing. The Indian government, acknowledging that 30 of the 46 crew members across the two vessels are Indian nationals, has condemned the attack, extended condolences to the families of the victims, and is collaborating with local authorities to support those impacted.
This latest act of aggression has further escalated tensions in the already volatile region, triggering a surge in global oil prices, which have now reached a four-week high. The incident underscores the persistent vulnerabilities in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for the world’s oil supply, and raises fresh concerns over the safety of maritime operations in these waters.