UAE Accuses Iran Of Drone Strike On ADNOC Tanker In Strait Of Hormuz, Warns Of Global Energy Threat

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of carrying out a drone attack on an ADNOC-operated crude oil tanker as it transited the Strait of Hormuz.

According to ADNOC Logistics & Services, the tanker M.V. Barakah was empty when it was struck by two drones off the coast of Oman.

No injuries were reported among the crew, and the vessel did not carry cargo at the time of the incident.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack violated international maritime law and described it as a direct threat to global energy security.

The ministry stated that targeting commercial shipping and disrupting international sea routes breaches United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, which upholds freedom of navigation and prohibits attacks on civilian vessels.

Officials further alleged that the use of the strategic waterway as a tool of economic coercion amounts to acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The UAE warned that such actions pose risks not only to regional stability but also to global oil and gas markets that depend on uninterrupted transit through the Strait.

The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments, making it a critical artery for global energy trade. Any disruption in the narrow passage can impact fuel prices and shipping routes worldwide.

The UAE has called on Iran to immediately halt what it described as unprovoked attacks and to ensure the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait.

Authorities stressed that safeguarding the waterway is essential for maintaining stability in international trade and the global economy.

Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker in the same region had been struck by unknown projectiles approximately 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah.

Diplomat Anwar Gargash described the attack as maritime piracy and said Iran’s actions continue to threaten regional stability.

Meanwhile, ADNOC Managing Director and CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber warned that the Strait of Hormuz must not be used as a tool of economic pressure, adding that freedom of navigation remains non-negotiable.

Tensions in the region have escalated since February, when Iran imposed restrictions on non-Iranian vessels following military actions involving the United States and Israel.

Tehran has since warned it could target ships it considers unauthorised while transiting the Strait.

The UAE reiterated that any attempt to alter the legal status of the Strait or restrict maritime access would set a dangerous precedent for global trade.

It called for full compliance with international norms to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels and to prevent further escalation in the region.

References: Khaleej Times, Reuters