Kathmandu— The United Arab Emirates has issued a strong condemnation of an Iranian missile attack targeting an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) tanker during its passage through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The strike, which occurred in the vital maritime corridor, did not result in any casualties among the crew, though the UAE Foreign Ministry characterized the assault as a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 regarding the freedom of navigation.

Violation of International Law

The UAE Foreign Ministry stated that the targeting of commercial shipping in international maritime zones constitutes acts of piracy by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The ministry warned that using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool for economic blackmail poses a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security.

While Tehran has not yet issued an official response or claimed responsibility for the specific strike, the UAE explicitly attributed the missile attack to Iran. This follows previous warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding potential hostile measures against maritime traffic that fails to comply with Iranian mandates.

Escalating Maritime Risks

The incident highlights the growing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway situated between Oman and Iran that handles approximately 20 percent of daily global oil consumption. The region has seen increased disruptions as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has escalated into a broader regional clash.

ADNOC reported that the situation involving the targeted vessel was swiftly brought under control. However, the company revealed that 15 of its fleet vessels have been struck by missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of hostilities, including three strikes in the current week alone.

Impact on Global Energy Security

The recent surge in hostilities has already resulted in casualties, with ADNOC reporting one crew fatality and 20 injuries from recent strikes. The company, a major global supplier of crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum, is now implementing comprehensive security protocols to protect its staff and maritime assets.

In a statement regarding international maritime safety, ADNOC emphasized that the freedom of navigation and the safe, uninterrupted passage of commercial shipping through international waterways must be respected and protected without threat, harassment, or attack.

ADNOC is currently coordinating with regulatory bodies to safeguard its ongoing operations and fulfill client demands amidst the heightened security risks.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.