Iranian Cruise Missiles Target Two UAE Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence reported that two Emirati oil tankers sustained hits from Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern Strait of Hormuz. This attack marks a significant escalation of maritime tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

The ministry confirmed the vessels were targeted in the southern shipping lane. However, specific details regarding the extent of the damage, any potential casualties, or the current condition of the tankers were not immediately available. The incident underscores the volatile security situation in the region's vital waterways.

This event unfolds against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions and renewed concerns about the safety of commercial shipping navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route. Earlier, a separate incident involved a tanker being struck by an unknown projectile approximately 40 nautical miles northeast of Qalhat, Oman, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The master of that vessel reported the projectile hit the engine room, but all crew members were safe, and there was no environmental impact.