UAE Blames Iran for Drone Strikes on Two ADNOC Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates has condemned Iran for attacking two ships linked to the UAE’s national oil company in the Strait of Hormuz. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) confirmed that “two of its vessels were attacked while transiting” the waterway on Thursday evening, adding that the situation was “brought under control”, Emirati media reported. Recommended Stories list of 3 items- list 1 of 3UAE to accelerate oil pipeline project to bypass Strait of Hormuz - list 2 of 3Iran deliberates Hormuz arrangement amid uncertain prospects with US - list 3 of 3UAE says Iran targeted ADNOC tanker in Strait of Hormuz, no casualties “The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned and denounced the hostile Iranian attack that targeted two vessels affiliated with ADNOC as they transited the Strait of Hormuz,” the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement in the early hours of Friday. No injuries were reported from the attack, the ministry added. Iran did not immediately comment on the attack or the UAE’s claims. The attack comes just days after the UAE reported a similar attack on an ADNOC tanker on Saturday. Iran is continuing to uphold an effective blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, and wants to charge users for passage. The United States fiercely opposes this plan and has instituted its own blockade on Iranian shipping. Iran is currently in talks with Oman over arrangements for the strait’s future management. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously threatened action against any vessels transiting the strait if they are linked to Tehran’s adversaries, or if they fail to comply with Iranian directives. The Emirati Foreign Ministry said attempts by Iran to use the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion amount to “piracy”, and constitute a “direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and the global energy supply”. After the attack on the ADNOC ship on Saturday, the UAE blamed the IRGC for the strike. That attack, which also caused no injuries, drew condemnation from regional and Arab governments. ADNOC reports that a total of 15 of its vessels have been attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran in February.

Loading... Sharja 24: His Excellency Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Yamahi, Speaker of the Arab Parliament, condemned in the strongest terms the brazen Iranian targeting of two vessels belonging to the UAE-based company ADNOC while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the repeated attacks on merchant ships and international sea lanes represent a serious escalation and a threat to regional security and stability and to global energy security, and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Speaker of the Arab Parliament also stressed in a statement today, Friday, that the security of international sea lanes and freedom of navigation and safe passage are not subjects of bargaining or pressure, warning that continued attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz would threaten the safety of international navigation, and have serious repercussions on global trade, energy security, and market stability, beyond the region’s borders. Al-Yamahi renewed the Arab Parliament’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, and its support for it in facing any attacks targeting its security, sovereignty, interests, and citizens, confirming its backing for all legitimate measures it takes to protect its security and the safety of its citizens and properties, and stressing that the security and stability of the Gulf states are an integral part of the security and stability of the Arab region. The Speaker of the Arab Parliament affirmed the necessity of full adherence to international law and respect for freedom of maritime navigation, and working to ensure safe and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Yamahi urged the international community and the UN Security Council to assume their responsibilities to halt all escalatory actions that threaten navigation security and the safety of merchant ships, and to prevent any practices that would undermine regional stability or endanger international economic and commercial interests, stressing that protecting vital sea lanes is a collective responsibility imposed by international law and considerations of international peace and security.

Two tankers affiliated with Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. were struck by drones while sailing outbound through the Strait of Hormuz, just a day after reports emerged that the UAE state oil company was expanding its increasingly important shuttle operation to move Iraqi crude through the contested waterway. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued two separate attack warnings Friday after receiving reports from military authorities that tankers had been struck by unmanned aerial vehicles while conducting outbound transits of the Strait. Both vessels suffered minor damage, while their crews were reported safe and accounted for. No environmental impact was reported. ADNOC confirmed Thursday evening that two of its vessels were attacked and said the situations had been brought under control. The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for the strikes, which marked the latest attacks on ADNOC-linked shipping in less than a week. “The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned and denounced the hostile Iranian attack that targeted two vessels affiliated with ADNOC as they transited the Strait of Hormuz,” the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The ministry described the targeting of commercial shipping and use of the Strait as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail as “acts of piracy” by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and called on Tehran to halt attacks and commit to the “complete and unconditional reopening” of the waterway. The timing is notable. On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that ADNOC’s trading arm was offering to shuttle Iraqi oil exports through Hormuz, extending a strategy that has helped the UAE move its own crude despite the severe disruption to normal shipping. Under the system, vessels make short voyages through the Strait, sometimes with their AIS transponders switched off, before transferring cargo to other vessels outside the Gulf. ADNOC has been offering spot cargoes to Asian refiners using the same approach to move crude from other Middle Eastern producers, particularly Iraq. Iraq’s state oil marketer SOMO has since confirmed that ADNOC is among the companies buying Iraqi crude and transporting shipments through the Strait. There is no indication that the two vessels attacked Thursday were carrying Iraqi crude, or that the strikes were connected to ADNOC’s expanded shuttle operation. But the attacks underscore the risks facing a system that has become increasingly important to keeping Gulf oil moving while normal commercial traffic remains severely constrained. UKMTO’s latest assessment from August 14 shows just how far shipping remains from normal. The agency recorded 75 outbound and 76 inbound full transits over the previous seven days, with both directions running at just 17% of the pre-conflict average. Tankers accounted for the largest share of vessels making the passage. UKMTO said operators were increasingly favoring the northern route, which is controlled by Iran, following projectile attacks, persistent security concerns and heightened enforcement activity. The southern U.S.-coordinated route through Omani waters has emerged as particularly dangerous. UKMTO said it accounted for 16 of 18 projectile-strike incidents reported since July 6, while multiple vessels have aborted planned transits or shifted north following attacks. The latest attacks add further pressure to an already fragile flow of oil through the Strait. Before the conflict, more than 130 ships typically passed through Hormuz each day. The two strikes also represent another setback for ADNOC, which has emerged as one of the most active operators attempting to maintain Gulf exports despite the disruption. The company said last week that attacks on its vessels were having a significant impact on its operations, while maintaining that it remained committed to meeting customer demand.

After 2 ADNOC tankers attacked in Strait of Hormuz; UAE blames Iran, calls it ‘flagrant violation’ The UAE also called on Iran to stop what it described as unprovoked attacks and demanded the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Two tankers owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil and gas company ADNOC were attacked on Thursday evening while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the company said. In a statement cited by news agency AP, the company said that no injuries were reported and the situation was brought under control soon after the attack. Meanwhile, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said two vessels suffered minor damage after being attacked by drones while transiting the strategic waterway. While it did not identify the vessels, the report appeared to refer to the same incident. UAE blames Iran for attack The UAE foreign ministry blamed Iran for the attack and described it as a “flagrant violation” of the United Nations’ principles on freedom of navigation. “The UAE has strongly condemned and denounced the hostile Iranian attack that targeted two vessels affiliated with ADNOC as they transited the Strait of Hormuz,” the ministry said in a statement issued early Friday. It added that no injuries had been reported in the incident. “Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security,” the foreign ministry said. Iran has not immediately responded to the allegations. UAE urges reopening of Hormuz Strait The UAE also called on Iran to stop what it described as unprovoked attacks and demanded the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “The UAE further stressed the need for Iran to halt these unprovoked attacks, ensure its full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in order to safeguard regional security, and maintain the stability of the global economy and trade,” the ministry said. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global shipping route and a major transit point for oil and gas shipments. Any disruption to commercial traffic through the waterway can have wider implications for energy supplies and global trade. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously warned that it could take action against vessels passing through the strait if they are linked to Tehran’s adversaries or fail to comply with Iranian directives. Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

UAE blames Iran for drone strikes on ADNOC tankers in Strait of Hormuz The UAE has accused Iran of using drones to strike two ADNOC-operated tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident sharpens fears over shipping security as wider unrest and diplomacy roil the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates on Friday accused Iran of attacking two ADNOC-operated oil tankers with drones as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz, calling the strikes acts of piracy. The attacks caused minor damage and no casualties, but highlighted the risks to commercial shipping in the strategic waterway linking the Persian Gulf to open seas. The developments came amid wider tensions across the Middle East, with activists taking food and water to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Yemen saying it disrupted a Houthi attack, a drone being intercepted over Iraq's northern city of Irbil, and US negotiator Jared Kushner set to travel to the region for talks on Gaza. ADNOC said the two tankers were attacked on Thursday evening while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It said no one was injured and that "the situation has been brought under control." The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said two vessels suffered minor damage in drone attacks while moving through the strait. It did not identify the vessels, but the incident appeared to be the same one involving the ADNOC ships. The UAE Foreign Ministry blamed Iran for the attacks and said they were a "flagrant violation" of the United Nations' principles of freedom of navigation. "Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps," the ministry said. There was no immediate response from Iran. In the occupied West Bank, activists marched to bring food and water to Palestinians in Qusra, where three families have been unable to leave their homes for nearly a week after settlers surrounded the area. Israeli troops intervened several times, but the settlers kept returning. The standoff in the northern West Bank town is the latest in a wave of settler violence in the territory seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and seen as part of a future Palestinian state. Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the army to prepare a plan to transfer power to the police to enforce civilian-related matters, the Defence Ministry said. In Yemen, the military said its forces foiled Houthi attacks early on Friday in the southwest of the country. Forces linked to Yemen's internationally recognised government said dozens of Houthis were killed and injured in fighting that disrupted plans to attack military reinforcements in Taiz province with drones, explosives and artillery. The Associated Press said it could not independently verify that toll. Recent Houthi attacks on government-held areas across Yemen have raised fears that the civil war could reignite and open another front in the Middle East. In Iraq, a drone was intercepted over Irbil in an area with several hotels and consulates, the regional counterterrorism service said, adding that there were no casualties. It was not immediately clear who launched the drone. Separately, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and negotiator Jared Kushner is due to travel to the Middle East next week to try to advance plans to end the conflict in Gaza after a deal announced by the Trump administration faced Israeli opposition. An official with the Board of Peace said Kushner, board high representative Nickolay Mladenov and executive board member and former British prime minister Tony Blair would arrive in Israel on Sunday before travelling to Cairo, where meetings of a Palestinian technocratic group set to assume control of Gaza under a US-brokered ceasefire deal have been taking place for the past several months. Overall, the latest developments reflected continuing instability across the region, from the drone strike on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz to unrest in the West Bank, fighting in Yemen, a drone interception in Irbil and fresh diplomatic efforts linked to Gaza. With PTI Inputs

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned Iran's attack on two ADNOC tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an "unacceptable escalation" and a serious violation of international law. "The GCC strongly condemns the brutal Iranian attack," Albudaiwi said, adding that repeated attacks on shipping, facilities and property threatened regional security. US Democrats appear to be sharpening their attacks on President Donald Trump over the economic fallout from the Iran war as rising fuel and household costs become an increasingly potent issue ahead of November’s midterm elections. The growing criticism comes as the national average gasoline price has again climbed above $4 a gallon and Democrats show signs of eroding what has traditionally been a Republican advantage with voters on the economy. Gas prices have risen by more than 25% since the Iran war began in February. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois pointed Thursday to the latest increase in gasoline prices, saying the national average had reached a record for this point in the year. “The national gas average just hit a historic high for this time of year—more than $4 a gallon,” she wrote on X. “Families in Central Illinois are paying the price of the war in Iran every single time they pull up to the pump.” Rep. Andrea Salinas of Oregon said American farmers spent $1.4 billion more on diesel during the spring planting season than a year earlier, blaming the increase on the conflict. “With Trump’s ILLEGAL war pushing fuel prices higher and higher, growers are the ones paying the price,” she wrote. The attacks come as polling suggests the economy is becoming an increasingly difficult issue for Trump and Republicans three months before the November 3 midterms. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released this month found 37% of registered voters preferred Democrats’ approach to the economy, compared with 36% who favored Republicans—the first Democratic advantage on the issue in roughly a decade. A separate Washington Post/Ipsos poll last month found the economy and high prices were the most commonly cited factors in voters’ midterm choices, mentioned by 54% of registered voters. Only 33% approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, against 65% who disapproved. Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts sought to connect the war with Trump’s broader economic agenda, including tariffs and tax policy. “Trump promised to lower prices on day one,” McGovern wrote. “Instead, his billionaires-first economic policies, stupid tariffs & illegal war with Iran are pushing prices to record highs.” “His policy choices are making your life more expensive while the ultra rich do better than ever before,” he added. Inflation eased slightly in July but remained above levels seen before the Iran war, while consumer prices have now risen faster than wages for four consecutive months. Sen. Bernie Sanders sharpened the argument by contrasting federal spending on the war and tax cuts with the cost pressures facing households. “$900 million for White House vanity projects? Approved. $1 trillion tax cut for the 1%? Approved. $1 trillion for war with Iran? Approved,” Sanders wrote. “Lower grocery, housing or gas prices? Sorry, you're on your own. Money for billionaires. Money for war. Nothing for working people.” The growing Democratic focus on gasoline, groceries and the Iran war suggests the party sees an opportunity to turn an issue that helped return Trump to the White House in 2024 against Republicans in November. Iran is doubling down on control of the Strait of Hormuz, with some in Tehran now arguing the strategic leverage it provides is more valuable than a nuclear weapon. Tehran’s drive to turn that control into lasting economic and political leverage—through shipping routes, mine clearance and potentially revenues from passing vessels—is emerging as a major obstacle to extending its fragile memorandum with the United States, which expires Sunday. Washington, meanwhile, increasingly claims it has broken Iran’s control of Hormuz. The June 18 memorandum is formally due to expire on August 16. President Donald Trump pronounced it over after Iran attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, ordering more strikes and the resumption of the US maritime blockade. Neither side, however, has formally abandoned diplomacy. If no extension is announced before Sunday, the current state of neither war nor peace could continue. An explicit declaration that the arrangement has ended could increase the risk of renewed attacks. ‘More valuable than a nuke’ Pressure against concessions over the strait is also growing inside Tehran. Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission this week unanimously approved the broad outlines of legislation that would tighten Iran’s control over Hormuz. The bill includes provisions for inspecting vessels in Iranian territorial waters, banning the passage of assets, equipment and vessels belonging to the United States, Israel and other countries Tehran deems hostile, and charging ships for maritime services. If enacted, the legislation could constrain Tehran’s room for compromise, much as legislation passed during Hassan Rouhani’s presidency required his government to increase uranium enrichment and suspend implementation of the Additional Protocol unless banking and oil sanctions were lifted. Alireza Salimi, a member of parliament’s presiding board, told the ISNA news agency Thursday that “the Strait of Hormuz is currently more valuable to Iran than an atomic bomb,” describing it as leverage for lifting sanctions and securing compensation for wartime losses. Demands put talks in doubt The tougher approach was also reflected in demands laid out shortly before his departure by Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, the former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Zolghadr said reopening the strait would require an end to attacks on Iran and its allies, the lifting of the blockade, the withdrawal of US forces from around Iran, sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and compensation for damage caused by the wars. It remains unclear whether those demands represented his personal position or that of the SNSC, and whether his successor, Mohsen Rezaei, will pursue the same approach. Rezaei’s appointment this week, along with other changes at the top of Iran’s security establishment, has been welcomed by hardline opponents of the government’s approach to negotiations. Former diplomat Kourosh Ahmadi wrote in the Shargh newspaper that if Tehran insisted on the conditions outlined by Zolghadr, “it is highly unlikely that there will be any serious negotiations between Tehran and Washington at all.” Both sides claim control The dispute is unfolding as Tehran and Washington offer directly competing accounts of who actually controls Hormuz. Trump said Wednesday that the United States had complete control of the waterway and that the maritime blockade had deprived Iran of the ability to act. The spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s wartime command center, rejected that assertion Thursday, saying the strait remained under Iranian control and that no vessel could pass safely without authorization from Iran’s armed forces. Shipping-monitoring data show traffic remains a fraction of pre-war levels. Around 10 to 12 vessels have been crossing the strait daily in recent days, compared with roughly 130 to 140 before the war, with most currently using a route designated by Iran. Tehran has also stressed that an agreement with Oman over shipping routes would not by itself be sufficient to reopen the strait. Ali Gholhaki, a political activist close to parliament speaker and senior Islamabad negotiator Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, said Iranian decision-makers currently had no intention of reopening the waterway and had blocked an agreement with Oman because of what they viewed as Muscat’s alignment with Washington. Tehran and Muscat at odds The disagreement with Oman offers perhaps the clearest illustration of what Tehran now wants from its control of Hormuz. Iran has pushed for control over shipping routes and mine clearance and for mandatory payments from vessels using the waterway. Oman has instead favored a joint fund supported by voluntary contributions from governments and companies benefiting from shipping. Few in Tehran expect Muscat to accept Iran’s terms. Ahad Azadikhah, a lawmaker aligned with Ghalibaf, recently told Khabar Online that if Oman did so, the Islamic Republic would have achieved “the victory of all victories.” The dispute means Hormuz is increasingly intertwined with the fate of the wider Tehran-Washington dialogue. As Iran seeks to turn control of the strait into leverage over sanctions, compensation and any broader settlement, Washington may increasingly see that same leverage as something that must be neutralized before a deal can be reached. Iranian courts have handed down a new wave of prison terms and other punishments against protesters, activists and citizens accused of national security offenses, as the judicial crackdown that followed January’s nationwide protests continues months later. At least six people were sentenced in five cases reported by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) on Wednesday and Thursday, with punishments ranging from eight months to 10 years in prison. One 21-year-old student was also sentenced to flogging and exile. Rights groups have documented thousands of arrests since January and raised repeated concerns over denial of access to lawyers, torture and coerced confessions. Iran Human Rights said in July that more than 70 January protesters were facing execution in Isfahan Central Prison alone, while HRANA reported in June that authorities in Zahedan had issued verdicts against 111 people detained during the protests. Couple sentenced together Homa Teymouri and her husband, Yaser Azadeh, who were arrested at their home during the January protests, have each been sentenced to five years in prison, HRANA reported, citing United Students. Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Teymouri of “assembly and collusion against national security” and also imposed a two-year travel ban, a two-year prohibition on social media activity and confiscation of her phone. HRANA said Azadeh also received five years but did not specify the charges or court branch. Teymouri holds a master’s degree in political thought from Tarbiat Modares University and Azadeh a master’s in Western philosophy from Shahid Beheshti University. Student given prison, lashes and exile Tara Farhangian, a 21-year-old physical education student arrested during the January protests, was sentenced in Qorveh to one year in prison, 31 lashes and two years of exile in Zabol, according to HRANA, citing Kolbar News. A criminal court convicted her of “disrupting public peace and order” and “resisting officers,” while the Revolutionary Court separately fined her 120 million tomans for “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” Farhangian, who studies at Hamedan University, had previously been released on bail. Ten years over ‘message to foreign media’ Leila Moallemi, a Mashhad resident held in Vakilabad Prison, has been sentenced to 10 years over information she allegedly provided to a media outlet outside Iran during the war, HRANA reported. A source close to her family said the case concerned a voice message and information she sent to the outlet. HRANA said the precise charges and judicial branch remained unclear. Moallemi was arrested on May 28. Her case comes amid heightened pressure on people accused of providing information to foreign media or governments during the conflict. HRANA documented 40 political and security-related executions between March 18 and June 3. Two years for Tehran IT specialist Mahmoud Ghanbari-Rad, a 40-year-old network security specialist held in Greater Tehran Prison, was sentenced to two years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” HRANA reported. Ghanbari-Rad was arrested at his Tehran home in May and initially held in Evin Prison. HRANA said he was denied access to a lawyer during part of his detention. In a call from prison, he rejected the case against him and said he had been pressured to accept the charges. Sentenced over prison writings Civil rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian was sentenced in absentia to eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” based on writings he produced in prison that were subsequently published. Mahmoudian, who has previously served time on the same charge, was arrested again on January 31 after signing a statement and released on bail the following month. He faces a separate hearing before another branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on September 27. A dispute in Iran’s parliament over the terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz is threatening to complicate negotiations in Muscat, as lawmakers challenge a proposed role for Oman and Pakistan in monitoring shipping through the waterway. The dispute centers on plans for a three-country verification mechanism being discussed as Iranian, Omani and Pakistani technical committees work on the operational details of a temporary navigation arrangement. Hardline lawmakers argue that the government cannot implement the proposed arrangement without parliamentary debate and a formal vote, raising a broader dispute over constitutional authority and military jurisdiction. Their opposition is focused particularly on third-party verification. Hardliners argue that sharing vessel-tracking responsibilities with Pakistani or Omani personnel, even within a joint cell, would undermine the IRGC Navy’s authority over screening in the Persian Gulf. Commentators aligned with this view have also warned that external verification channels could be exploited by Western intelligence, potentially giving NATO or US naval forces access to information about Iranian coastal movements under the guise of commercial monitoring. Regional shield or security risk? Reformist outlets Shargh and Etemad have argued that involving Pakistan and Oman would instead provide Tehran with a diplomatic shield by reducing pressure for direct US or NATO naval escorts inside the strait’s traffic lanes. Writing in Shargh, Ahmad Zeidabadi warned that blocking regional verification “does not defend our sovereignty; it locks our economy into a suffocating siege,” adding that a functioning Muscat-Islamabad verification mechanism offered Iran a way to avert deeper economic damage. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, meanwhile, reaffirmed that any US or NATO military escorts within the strait’s traffic lanes remained prohibited under the draft terms, even as third-party verification continued to be considered in Muscat, according to IRNA. Parliament pushes tougher terms The dispute comes as lawmakers are also considering legislation that could further constrain Tehran’s room for compromise over Hormuz. Iranian media reported that parliament held a closed-door session over the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission’s draft bill restricting the movement of vessels linked to countries Tehran considers hostile. Hardline lawmakers have pushed for a mandatory transit charge of 5% to 7% on non-exempt commercial bulk cargo to fund coastal defense and infrastructure repairs, alongside tighter inspection requirements. Pro-Pezeshkian lawmakers and National Security Committee spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi have argued that the proposed verification cell is a technical mechanism operating under the Supreme National Security Council framework rather than a new international treaty requiring lengthy parliamentary ratification. Government representatives have also warned that imposing statutory tolls could undermine the Muscat negotiations and discourage foreign shipping lines from using Iranian ports. The competing approaches reflect a wider struggle in Tehran over what Iran should seek to preserve from its wartime control of Hormuz: maximum control and economic leverage, or a regional mechanism that could restore shipping without opening the waterway to a greater US or NATO role. The dispute could prove consequential for the Muscat talks, as any agreement requiring Omani or Pakistani participation in monitoring traffic would have to overcome objections from lawmakers, while tougher statutory restrictions on shipping could further narrow the government’s room to

Two ADNOC Vessels Attacked in Hormuz as UAE Blames Iran The UAE says two vessels linked to state oil giant ADNOC were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with no casualties reported. ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The United Arab Emirates accused Iran on Friday of attacking two vessels affiliated with its state-owned oil company ADNOC while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions around the vital maritime route. The UAE Foreign Ministry described the incident as a"hostile Iranian attack," while ADNOC confirmed that two of its vessels had come under attack Thursday evening. No injuries were reported, and ADNOC said the situation had been brought under control. Two Vessels Hit in Hormuz According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the UAE said the vessels were targeted while passing through the strait, where Iran has imposed what officials describe as an effective blockade amid the wider regional conflict. ADNOC confirmed "two of its vessels were attacked while transiting" the waterway, according to the UAE's official WAM news agency. The company did not provide further details about the vessels or the nature of the damage. The attacks came a day before the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two separate incidents involving drone strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO said the vessels sustained minor damage, while their crews were safe and no environmental damage had been reported. It was not immediately clear whether the vessels referred to by UKMTO were the same ADNOC-linked ships identified by the UAE. Hormuz Under Growing Pressure The latest incidents add to a series of attacks involving commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. AFP reported that ADNOC said three of its tankers had been attacked in the strait the previous week, followed by another reported attack that the UAE government attributed to Iran. The Strait of Hormuz was open to normal international shipping before the current Middle East war began in February. Since then, repeated attacks and restrictions have disrupted maritime traffic through a passage that is critical to global energy markets. The standoff has also complicated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. A June agreement had established a framework for Iran and Oman, both of which border the waterway, to discuss future arrangements for navigation with other Gulf states in accordance with international law. Tehran Sets Conditions for Reopening Iran has maintained that reopening the strait depends on broader political and military conditions. Last week, Iranian security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr outlined conditions including an end to the war and what he described as aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq. According to remarks reported by Iran's Tasnim news agency and cited by AFP, Tehran also demanded an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets and compensation for wartime damage. The United States has strongly opposed any arrangement that would allow Iran to impose passage fees or exercise unilateral control over the waterway. Global Energy Route at Risk The latest attacks highlight the growing risks facing commercial shipping in one of the world's most important energy corridors. Any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could affect oil and gas shipments and add further pressure to global energy markets. For Gulf states such as the UAE, the attacks also raise concerns over the vulnerability of their commercial and energy infrastructure as the confrontation between Iran and the United States continues to spill into regional waters. With shipping incidents mounting and negotiations over the strait still unresolved, the latest attacks underline how the waterway has become both a military flashpoint and a central bargaining issue in the wider conflict.

HOUSTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Crude oil futures climbed over $1 a berrel on Friday on tanker attacks and a lack of progress on a peace agreement between the Trump administration and Iran's leadership. Brent futures settled at $88.52 a barrel, up $1.45, or 1.67%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at $82.40, up $1.15, or 1.42%. Sign up here. Brent and WTI were on track for weekly gains of 6.0% and 5.4%, respectively. "We're getting a rally going into the weekend after new attacks on tankers and lack of progress on a cease-fire agreement," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. A "day of reckoning" may come if traffic in the strait of Hormuz remains constrained, through which 20% of global supply can pass, Lipow said. "Crude oil prices might be $80 a barrel, but diesel prices are $180 a barrel and gasoline is $130 a barrel and that's what's hitting the consumer," Lipow said. On Thursday, the U.S. said it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and increase economic pressure on Tehran in response to stalled ceasefire talks. "Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation of a country," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Newsmax's "Rob Schmitt Tonight" program. TRAFFIC SLOWS THROUGH THE STRAIT As the U.S. and Iran made claims over control of the strait, shipping traffic through the channel fell below the month's average. Before U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February, the strait handled about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Two vessels from the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked while transiting the strait on Thursday, the United Arab Emirates' state news agency WAM said, an incident the UAE government condemned as an Iranian attack. "That's the headline that pushed up prices: Tankers attacked," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst for Price Futures Group. Crude oil exports from Russia's Sheskharis terminal at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were suspended on Friday following a drone attack, three sources familiar with the matter said, adding to disruptions at one of the country's key export outlets. Flynn said the Ukrainian attack on the port of Novorossiysk was also boosting prices. While Middle Eastern supplies are constrained, OPEC forecasts pointed to weaker demand growth and U.S. crude inventories posted their largest weekly increase in more than 3-1/2 years. "This week's reports by the IEA and EIA were quite revealing. Storage is holding up much better than feared, which should pull oil prices lower," said Norbert Rucker, head of economics and next generation research at Julius Baer, referring to the International Energy Agency and U.S. Energy Information Administration. Reporting by Erwin Seba in Houston, Mohi Narayan in New Delhi and Helen Clark in Perth; Editing by Mark Potter, Barbara Lewis, Paul Simao, Rod Nickel and Cynthia Osterman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Loading... He stressed that repeated attacks on commercial vessels and international maritime routes constitute a dangerous escalation, a threat to regional security and stability and global energy security, and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In a statement on Friday, Al Yamahi stressed that the security of international maritime routes, freedom of navigation and safe passage are not subject to compromise or political pressure. He warned that continued targeting of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would threaten the safety of international navigation and have serious repercussions for global trade, energy security and market stability, with consequences extending beyond the region. Al Yamahi reiterated the Arab Parliament's full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support for the country in confronting any attacks targeting its security, sovereignty and interests. He also affirmed support for all legitimate measures taken by the UAE to protect its security and the safety of its citizens and property, stressing that the security and stability of the Arab Gulf states are an integral part of the security and stability of the Arab region. He also stressed the need for full compliance with international law, respect for freedom of maritime navigation and efforts to ensure safe and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Al Yamahi called on the international community and the UN Security Council to fulfil their responsibilities by ensuring the immediate cessation of all escalatory actions that threaten the security of navigation and the safety of commercial vessels, and by preventing any practices that could undermine regional stability or endanger international economic and commercial interests. He affirmed that protecting vital maritime routes is a collective responsibility mandated by international law and considerations of international peace and security.

Two oil tankers operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked while transiting theStrait of Hormuzon Thursday evening, escalating concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the key energy route. ADNOC said no one was injured and that the situation had been brought under control. The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for the attacks, while Tehran did not immediately respond. Separately, the United States said it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and announced plans to intensify economic pressure on the country. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said two vessels suffered minor damage after being attacked by drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It did not identify the vessels, but the incident appeared to involve the two ADNOC tankers, according to reports. The UAE Foreign Ministry called the attacks a “flagrant violation” of the United Nations’ principles of freedom of navigation and accusedIran’s Revolutionary Guard Corpsof using the strait for economic coercion. “Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security,” the ministry said. Transit through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to have nearly stopped on Friday following the latest attacks. According to ship-tracking company Kpler, nine vessels crossed the waterway on Thursday, up from five on Wednesday but below the August daily average of 12. No crossings were visible early on Friday, although some ships may have travelled with their transponders switched off. Before the war began in February, more than 130 ships crossed the strait each day. After the June ceasefire collapsed,Iran resumed attacks on ships it accused of crossing the strait without permission. Tehran has said it will not reopen the strait until itsconditionsare met, including the removal of economic sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American military could maintain its naval presence in the region and enforce the blockade of Iran indefinitely. “Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we’ll continue to,” Hegseth told reporters during a visit to Panama. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington planned to inflict further financial damage on Iran, with more measures expected to be announced next week. “Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country,” Bessent told Newsmax. PresidentDonald Trumphas repeatedly threatened to escalate military strikes against Iran. Earlier this week, however, he suggested that he wouldrely on economic measuresrather than military action. India has also faced disruptions to LNG supplies from Qatar, withPetronet LNGsaying this week that there was still no clarity on September shipments. The company said Qatar’s force majeure had affected 56 cargoes so far, while India has been looking to suppliers including the US, Oman, Nigeria and Angola to bridge the gap. The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. 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The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the targeting of two oil tankers belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) as they were transiting through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly pointed the finger at Iran, describing the incident as an act of aggression that fits into a series of ongoing threats to international navigation. UAE authorities stated in an official statement that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is carrying out what it called “piracy activities” against merchant ships in this vital waterway. The Foreign Ministry also said that Tehran seeks to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a tool for political and economic coercion, placing regional stability and global energy supplies at direct risk. For its part, ADNOC confirmed that the attack on the two vessels occurred on Thursday evening, noting that emergency teams were able to bring the situation fully under control. The company reassured its partners that there were no injuries among the crew and affirmed that it continues to assess the damage and ensure the continuity of its operations despite the ongoing security challenges. This escalation comes less than a week after a similar incident targeted another ADNOC tanker, indicating a pattern of increasingly deliberate targeting of UAE oil assets. Official sources have not yet disclosed technical details about the type of weapons used in the attack or the extent of the physical damage to the tankers. The Hormuz Strait region has been in a state of heightened tension since February, following armed clashes and American and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian sites. Since then, Tehran has imposed stringent navigational restrictions, obliging passing ships to follow specific routes along its coasts and under the supervision of its naval forces. Sources reported that Tehran intends to impose a financial charge under the name of “service charges” on all ships using the strait, which regional and international actors view as a violation of the rules governing international navigation. These measures and the security disruptions have led to a sharp rise in maritime shipping costs and tanker insurance premiums. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously issued warnings to attack any ships suspected of being linked to hostile entities or those not complying with the new navigational instructions. The situation in the strait remains vulnerable to further escalation in the absence of any prospects for de-escalation among the regional and international powers active in the area.

- Al-Yamahi: Iranian targeting a flagrant violation of international law Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi, head of the Arab Parliament, condemned in the strongest terms the brazen Iranian targeting of two vessels belonging to the Emirati company ADNOC as they transited the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the repeated attacks on merchant ships and international sea lanes represent a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and stability and global energy security, and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The head of the Arab Parliament, in a statement yesterday, emphasized that the security of international sea lanes, freedom of navigation, and safe passage are not a subject for bargaining or a means of political pressure, warning that continued attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz would undermine international navigation safety, cast serious consequences on global trade, energy security, and market stability, with effects that go beyond regional implications. Al-Yamahi renewed the Arab Parliament’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support as it faces any attacks targeting its security, sovereignty, interests, and assets, confirming support for all lawful measures it takes to protect its security, the safety of its citizens, and its property, and stressing that the security and stability of the Gulf states are an integral part of regional security and stability. The head of the Arab Parliament also stressed the need for full adherence to the rules of international law and respect for freedom of maritime navigation, and working to ensure safe and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The head of the Arab Parliament called on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to bear responsibility for an immediate halt to all escalating actions that threaten navigation security and the safety of merchant ships, and to prevent any practices that would undermine regional stability or jeopardize international economic and commercial interests, stressing that protecting vital sea lanes is a collective responsibility imposed by the rules of international law and considerations of international peace and security. (WAM) The head of the Arab Parliament, in yesterday’s statement, reiterated that the security of international sea lanes, freedom of navigation, and safe passage are not a subject for bargaining or a means of political pressure, warning that continued attacks on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz would threaten the safety of navigation, and have serious repercussions on world trade, energy security, and market stability, going beyond regional consequences. Al-Yamahi renewed the Arab Parliament’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its stance to support it in facing any attacks targeting its security, sovereignty, and interests, confirming support for all lawful measures it adopts to protect its security, and the safety of its citizens and property, and stressed that the security and stability of the Gulf states are an integral part of the security and stability of the Arab region. The head of the Arab Parliament also stressed the necessity of full compliance with the rules of international law and respect for freedom of maritime navigation, and working to guarantee safe and unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The head of the Arab Parliament urged the international community and the United Nations Security Council to shoulder their responsibilities for an immediate stop to all escalation acts that threaten navigation security and the safety of merchant ships, and to prevent any practices that would undermine regional stability or expose international economic and commercial interests to risk, confirming that protecting vital sea lanes is a collective responsibility dictated by the rules of international law and considerations of international peace and security. (WAM)

Cairo – The President of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi, strongly condemned the targeting by Iran of two tankers belonging to the UAE’s ADNOC while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, these critical developments draw global attention to rising security risks. In particular, they affect international maritime navigation and global energy supply stability. Furthermore, Al-Yamahi stated that attacking commercial vessels and international waterways constitutes a flagrant breach of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. As a result, the Arab Parliament emphasized that freedom of navigation and secure maritime passage must remain non-negotiable. These must also be protected from political pressure. Risks to Energy Markets and Calls for International Action On the other hand, the Arab Parliament reiterated its unconditional solidarity with the United Arab Emirates. It declared full support for all legitimate measures taken by the UAE to safeguard its sovereignty and security. Additionally, Al-Yamahi warned that persistent attacks in the strait threaten to disrupt global energy markets, trade flows, and economic stability. These issues extend well beyond the region. Consequently, Al-Yamahi called upon the international community and the UN Security Council to uphold their responsibilities by taking immediate steps to halt escalating acts and secure unhindered transit through the waterway. Ultimately, these diplomatic appeals aim to protect vital maritime infrastructure. Moreover, they seek to prevent regional destabilization. Finally, the targeting of UAE commercial vessels places regional maritime security at a critical juncture. Ultimately, decisive international enforcement and adherence to maritime law remain essential for safeguarding global trade and maintaining regional peace.

The President of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yemahi, strongly condemned the Iranian targeting of two tankers belonging to the Emirati ADNOC company while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that targeting commercial ships and international maritime corridors represents a serious escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region, as well as the safety of navigation and global energy security. Al-Yemahi emphasized, in a statement, the necessity of respecting freedom of navigation and safe passage in international maritime corridors, warning that the continued targeting of commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz threatens global trade, energy security, and market stability, with repercussions that extend beyond the region. He reiterated the Arab Parliament’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support for the legitimate measures it takes to protect its security, sovereignty, and interests, affirming that the security and stability of the Gulf Arab states are an integral part of the security and stability of the Arab region. Al-Yemahi called on the international community and the Security Council to assume their responsibilities in stopping escalatory actions that threaten the safety of navigation and the safety of commercial ships, and to ensure safe and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in order to preserve international peace and security.

Middle East News: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said two of its tankers were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, accusing Iran of responsibility for the attack. The attack marks the second time in less than a week that ADNOC-owned tankers have been targeted. The Emirates News Agency quoted ADNOC as saying the latest targeting did not cause injuries and that the situation had been brought under control. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as an “Iranian aggressive attack” on ADNOC’s tankers, stating that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is committing “acts of piracy” by targeting commercial navigation and using the strait as a tool of political pressure and economic blackmail that “poses a direct threat to regional stability, its people, and global energy security.” Neither the Emirates News Agency nor the Foreign Ministry provided details about the tankers, their cargoes, or potential damage. ADNOC had announced last Saturday that one of its ships was targeted by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, noting that there were no injuries to crew members and that the incident was brought under control. This comes as Iran warned on Thursday of environmental deterioration in the Strait of Hormuz after an oil spill reached the southern coast of Qeshm Island, calling for compensation. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the spill had led to a decline in Gulf waters and the Sea of Oman, noting initial evidence that the pollution source was a foreign bulk commodity carrier, i.e., goods transported in bulk that typically don’t need to be packaged in bags or containers. However, the US navigation tracking site TankerTrackers said that an Iranian attack on the bulk cargo vessel Minoan Pioneer in Omani waters on August 3 caused the recent spill. The site added: “Later, the spill drifted through the Strait toward Iran.” Khatibzadeh wrote on X that such spills “in recent decades have caused trillions of dollars in damage to Iran’s coastal areas,” calling for compensation. He added: “Every party that benefits from commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is legally and morally obliged to address the environmental damage to the region.”