ADNOC vessel attacked in Hormuz as Trump defends extended carrier deployment

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) witnessed an attack on one of its vessels while it was traversing the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, as reported by Reuters. This marks the third incident involving an ADNOC ship in a week, according to the news outlet. Despite the attack, no casualties were reported, and the situation was promptly contained by ADNOC.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) blamed Iran for the two preceding attacks, though Emirati officials had not yet publicly acknowledged responsibility for the most recent incident at the time of the report.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway linking Iran and Oman, is responsible for approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments prior to the ongoing conflict. Frequent disruptions in shipping through this strait have been occurring since the initiation of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, leading to an escalation in freight rates and heightened risks for energy exports.

ADNOC is among the largest energy producers globally, exporting crude oil, natural gas, and refined products to international markets. Separately, US President Donald Trump dismissed worries regarding the duration of the USS Abraham Lincoln's deployment, aimed at supporting military operations against Iran. During a press conference on Friday, Trump stated, "Not nearly long enough," he told reporters.

He further added that the aircraft carrier would continue moving or be replaced shortly. The USS Abraham Lincoln, which embarked from San Diego in November, has been positioned in the Middle East and has logged more than 260 days without a port visit, setting a modern record for continuous sea tenure.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal highlighted this deployment as a record for consecutive days at sea, surpassing 200 days without a port visit. Several Democratic lawmakers have been seeking clarifications following reports from sailors' families concerning mental health, living conditions, and supplies aboard the ship. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refuted these claims on Thursday, asserting that the reports had been misconstrued.