UAE: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned what it described as Iran’s “brazen” missile attack on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States carried out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets and announced a new blockade of the strategic waterway.
According to UAE authorities, the attack on Monday killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others, including six Indians and two Ukrainians. Four of the injured were reported to be in serious condition.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence described the incident as “a serious violation” of international law and warned that it threatened regional security and stability.
The latest escalation came as US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports and levy a 20 percent charge on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to increase pressure on Tehran.
Trump said the United States was striking Iran “very hard,” with US forces launching attacks for the third straight night amid the intensifying conflict between the two countries.
Responding to the US announcement, Iran’s foreign minister declared that Tehran would remain the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz, adopting the same term used by Trump.
The dispute over control of the vital maritime route has further complicated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Despite the rising tensions, Trump maintained that a negotiated agreement with Iran was still possible.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the new measures would prevent “Iran’s ships or customers” from using the key oil transit route, while allowing vessels from other countries to continue operating freely. He said the blockade would take effect at 4:00 pm Eastern Time (2000 GMT) on Tuesday.
(Inputs from BBC)
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