Two UAE oil tankers attacked in Strait of Hormuz as US warns Iran of more pressure

Two oil tankers belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, raising concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the critical energy route. The UAE blamed Iran for the attacks, while the Islamic Republic has yet to comment. The United States pledged to sustain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and announced plans to increase economic pressure on the country.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations center, the two vessels sustained minor damage after being targeted with drones while navigating the Strait. The UAE's Foreign Ministry described the attacks as a "flagrant violation" of UN principles of freedom of navigation and accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps of using the strait to coerce Iran economically. The ministry emphasized that Iran's actions pose a direct threat to regional stability, its peoples, and global energy security.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to have halted significantly following the attacks. A ship-tracking company reported that only nine vessels crossed the waterway on Thursday, down from five on Wednesday but below the August daily average of 12. The number of crossings on Friday was not yet visible, as some ships might have traveled without their transponders activated.

Prior to the February war, over 130 ships crossed the strait each day. Iran resumed attacks on ships it suspected of crossing without authorization after the June ceasefire broke down.

The United States Defence Secretary stated that the American military could maintain its naval presence in the region and enforce the blockade of Iran indefinitely. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced further financial damage measures against Iran, with more actions expected in the coming week. Meanwhile, India faces LNG supply disruptions from Qatar due to force majeure, leading the country to explore alternative suppliers like the United States, Oman, Nigeria, and Angola.