Two UAE-linked ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz, no casualties

DUBAI: Two vessels belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, according to the UAE state news agency WAM and ADNOC. No injuries or deaths were reported.

ADNOC said the situation had been brought under control and that authorities were managing the incident. The company did not immediately provide detailed information about the vessels, their cargoes or the extent of any damage.

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of carrying out the attack, while Tehran has not immediately commented on the allegation. The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as a hostile Iranian attack and said targeting commercial shipping posed a threat to regional stability and global energy security.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks involving ADNOC-linked vessels in the strategic waterway. The company said earlier this month that 15 of its vessels had been attacked by missiles and drones since the conflict began, with one crew member killed and 20 injured in previous incidents.

ADNOC said the safety and wellbeing of its crews, particularly maritime workers, remained its highest priority. It also stressed the importance of maintaining safe navigation and freedom of movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest attack comes as shipping traffic through the waterway remains well below normal levels amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. Kpler data showed that only nine commodity vessels passed through the strait on Thursday, compared with an August daily average of about 12.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Before the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow waterway.

Repeated attacks and growing security concerns have forced shipping companies to reassess routes, while some vessels have delayed or avoided transit altogether.

ADNOC urged the public to rely only on official and verified information about the latest incident and avoid spreading rumours or unconfirmed claims.

With tensions still high around the waterway, the latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and the potential impact on global energy markets.