The UAE Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that the vessel was hit by a missile in the early morning while moving through the strategic waterway, a critical chokepoint for a large portion of the world's seaborne oil.
Abu Dhabi described the attack as an act of piracy carried out by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), urging Tehran to halt such assaults and fully reopen the strait without conditions.
State news agency WAM quoted ADNOC as confirming that one of its vessels had been targeted by a missile while crossing the strait. ADNOC did not provide details about the ship's damage or its exact location at the time of the incident.
The UAE Foreign Ministry stressed that using the waterway as a tool of pressure or economic blackmail threatens regional stability and global energy security.
Previously, the IRGC had threatened action against vessels passing through the strait if they had links to Tehran's rivals or failed to comply with Iran's directives.
In a statement on Friday, ADNOC said it had been significantly affected by what it described as unprovoked attacks on its personnel and assets, while continuing to meet customer demands in a “particularly difficult environment.”
The company said 15 of its vessels had been attacked with missiles and drones while transiting the strait since the conflict began, including three this week, resulting in one sailor killed and 20 others wounded. ADNOC did not identify the perpetrators in Friday's statement.
Regional governments condemn the attack
Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi condemned the latest attack as a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation,” calling for international action to protect maritime navigation and reaffirming the bloc's solidarity with the UAE.
Qatar also condemned the attack and rejected the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip, calling for the reopening of the waterway without conditions. Doha's Foreign Ministry warned that prolonged closure threatens the interests of regional countries and the global economy.
Saudi Arabia condemned the targeting of the oil tanker “in the strongest terms,” asserting that Iran's successive attacks constitute a serious violation of international law and Resolution 2817. Riyadh holds Tehran responsible for the consequences and demands an immediate cessation of the attacks.
Jordan also condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of international law, affirming full support for the UAE.
The attack is seen as a sign of a serious escalation in tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, where the UAE and its Gulf neighbors have pushed to keep the route open for international shipping.
