The United Arab Emirates on Monday accused Iran of attacking an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) tanker with drones as the vessel made its way through the Strait of Hormuz.
ADNOC's maritime energy logistics unit said the tanker Barakah was struck by two drones while it was empty. The company reported that there were no injuries aboard the vessel.
In a formal statement, the UAE foreign ministry urged Iran to cease such attacks, to ensure an immediate end to all hostilities, and to permit the full and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The accusation comes amid broader restrictions on maritime traffic. According to statements in the public record, Iran has prevented most non-Iranian ships from entering and exiting the Gulf since February 18, the day cited in relation to attacks by the U.S. and Israel. Iranian authorities have also threatened to target unauthorized vessels transiting the Strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint for global energy flows. The UAE noted that the waterway handles roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments, underscoring the wider implications of disruptions there.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker had indicated it was struck by unknown projectiles about 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, a port on the UAE coast.
The incident involving the Barakah adds to a series of maritime security concerns in the region. Authorities and shipping monitors have been tracking movements and reported strikes as part of a pattern of restrictions and threats affecting vessels transiting the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
At this time, ADNOC reported no casualties and identified two drone strikes on the empty tanker. The UAE's call for an immediate end to hostilities and for the unrestricted reopening of the Strait remains in place.