One Indian seafarer has been killed and eight Indian and Ukrainian seafarers injured, four of them seriously, in Iranian attacks on two tankers, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said tankers Mombasa B and Al Bahyah were hit by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, causing material damage to both tankers and fires onboard which have since been brought under control
The two VLCCs, 2023-built Al Bahyah and 2016-built Mombasa B, are operated by Abu Dhabi state oil company subsidiary ADNOC Logistics & Services.
The ships are the latest victims of the tussle for control of the Strait of Hormuz, as the US seeks to maintain an open corridor in the south around the coast of Oman, and Iran maintains a northern corridor by its own shores. Iran has rejected the US-administered southern route and its targeting of vessels off Oman last week re-ignited hostilities between the US and Iran.
The Ministry of Defence condemned this blatant attack, which is considered a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region,” the ministry said.“The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests.”
UKMTO carries a report of a tanker being struck by an unknown projectile on its starboard side at 2104 hrs off the coast of Oman, but it is unclear whether this is one of the incidents referred to by the UAE Ministry of Defence.
In an unexpected development in the Strait of Hormuz story. US president Donald Trump took to social media on 13 July to announce that the US would seek to be reimbursed for its costs as protector of the waterway to the tune of 20% of the value of the cargo moving through. He also announced that the US blockade of Iranian ports would begin again.
As a result of the political and military escalation, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped. Trade intelligence platform Kpler said crossings looked to be down by around 52% week-on-week for 10-12 July. Traffic through the southern route had almost disappeared, it said, with an increase through the Iranian and dark routes.