UAE condemns Iran over attacks on ADNOC vessels

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned Iran for attacking two ADNOC-affiliated vessels as they navigated the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz in late August. The UAE described the strikes as a serious breach of international maritime law and a threat to both regional and global energy security. The vessels, which were not carrying any crew injuries at the time, were swiftly brought under control by ADNOC, the state-owned energy company.

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the acts a "flagrant violation" of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirmed the right of merchant and commercial vessels to navigate freely and rejected any attempts to obstruct shipping through the strait. Abu Dhabi accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps of committing acts of piracy by targeting commercial ships and using the strait as a means of economic coercion.

The attacks are part of a string of security incidents involving ADNOC vessels since the conflict escalated earlier this year. One crew member has been killed and around 20 others injured in those incidents. Another ADNOC-linked vessel faced a missile attack on August 8, though no one was harmed. The UAE, alongside other authorities, condemned the latest strikes and demanded an immediate halt to attacks on civilian and commercial shipping.

The Strait of Hormuz, crucial for the flow of crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas from key producers, has seen a significant drop in shipping activity due to heightened security concerns and rising insurance costs. ADNOC has persisted in transporting crude and petroleum products, employing logistical measures to sustain supplies.

The crisis has underscored the importance of alternative export infrastructure outside the Strait of Hormuz, such as the UAE's pipeline network connecting to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman. However, maritime access through the strait remains vital for regional trade and energy movements. The tension surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, alongside attacks on energy installations, sanctions, and military operations, has intensified pressure on shipping.

Iran has demanded changes, including sanctions relief and an end to military pressure, as part of its demands in the conflict. While efforts mediated through Oman have aimed to restore more predictable commercial traffic, a lasting agreement remains elusive. The UN Security Council's Resolution 2817, adopted in March, reaffirmed merchant vessels' rights under international law and treated attempts to impede lawful passage through the Strait of Hormuz as a threat to international peace and security.