Strait of Hormuz: Due to increased tension between America and Iran, the situation has again reached a very critical point. On Monday (July 13) night, Iran launched a massive cruise missile attack targeting two commercial oil tankers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Strait of Hormuz. An Indian sailor has died in this attack, while eight other crew members are said to be injured. The UAE Defense Ministry has officially confirmed the attack and the damage caused.
UAE Defense Ministry issued a statement
According to an official statement issued by the UAE Defense Ministry on social media platform X, the attack took place in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz, located in Oman’s territorial waters. Cruise missiles fired by Iran targeted two UAE-flagged oil tankers—’Mombasa’ and ‘Al Bahiyah’.
The ministry said that an Indian sailor deployed on the tanker ‘Mombasa’ died on the spot after being hit by the missile. Additionally, a total of eight sailors have been injured in the attack, including six Indians and two Ukrainian nationals. The condition of four of the injured remains very critical, who have been admitted to the nearest medical facility for treatment.
Taking a firm stance on this cowardly attack, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has strongly condemned it. The United Arab Emirates has expressed its deep condolences to the Government and people of India on the death of the Indian citizen who lost his life in the attack.
Alleged violation of international law
The UAE Foreign Ministry clearly said in its statement that this step of Iran is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2817. UAE has appealed to the international community to take cognizance of this.
The statement further said that the UAE has the full right to respond to this tense situation and take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents. In doing so it will preserve its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguard its national interests.
The ministry also reiterated that it is fully prepared and alert to deal with any threat and is taking all necessary steps to give a strong response to any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the country. Also appealed to the public to take information only from official sources and not spread rumors or unverified information.
What did Iran say on the attack?
Regarding the attack, Iran claimed that the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) violated the rules and fired on two ships passing illegally to warn them and stopped their movement. At the same time, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, quoting a military officer, even claimed that the Iranian Navy has fired cruise missiles at an American hostile ship present in the area.
The war between America and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz has become very aggressive. Just before this missile attack, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) had launched rapid air strikes on Iran. The US military says that the purpose of these attacks is to completely destroy Iran’s military capability to attack civilian and commercial ships. CENTCOM has warned that they will continue to impose a heavy price on the Iranian military for these actions.
Also read: Has America become the Choudhary of Hormuz? An announcement by Trump increased the tension not only of Iran but of the whole world, there will be chaos again for petrol and gas!