An Indian crew member was killed and six other Indians were injured after two UAE-flagged oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on July 14, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. (Reuters)
According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, two Iranian cruise missiles hit the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah while they were sailing through the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters. One Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa died in the attack, while eight people sustained injuries, including six Indian nationals and two Ukrainians. Four of the injured were reported to be in a serious condition. (Reuters)
The missile strikes sparked fires on both vessels and caused material damage. Authorities later brought the fires under control, the ministry said. (Reuters)
Condemning the attack, the UAE Ministry of Defence described it as a blatant violation of international law and said the country reserved the right to respond to the escalation. The ministry stated that it would take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens, residents and strategic assets, adding that it remained on the highest level of readiness to counter any further threats. (Reuters)
The attack followed fresh US military strikes on Iran after US President Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and proposed charging commercial vessels for safe passage through the strategic waterway. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan and the two UAE-associated tankers. (The Guardian)
With the latest casualty, the number of Indian nationals killed in the ongoing West Asia conflict rose to 11. Last month, three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, while several other seafarers were rescued in separate attacks on commercial vessels as tensions in the region intensified. (The Guardian)
