UAE says ADNOC vessel attacked in Hormuz, vows to defend navigation rights

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) reported on Saturday that one of its vessels was attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz the previous day, according to the Emirati state news agency WAM. No injuries were reported, and the situation was now under control, WAM stated. Anwar Gargash, the UAE's diplomatic adviser to the president, vowed that Abu Dhabi would defend its sovereignty and interests following repeated attacks on ADNOC tankers.

Gargash emphasized that the UAE would safeguard its rights to freedom of navigation while continuing to pursue diplomatic options, as per a post on X.

This incident marked the third such attack on an ADNOC vessel in less than a week. The UAE had previously accused Iran of being behind the earlier attacks, though there was no official statement from the UAE regarding Friday's incident. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency had earlier reported a bulk carrier being struck by an unknown projectile in the strait on Friday.

Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas pass through the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran, which existed prior to the conflict. Since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran escalated on February 28, shipping has been repeatedly disrupted, leading to increased freight rates and heightened security concerns.

ADNOC is one of the world's largest energy producers, exporting crude oil, natural gas, and refined products globally.