Indian crew member killed, several injured after Iran strikes UAE tankers in Strait of Hormuz, what exactly happened?

One Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured after two UAE oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The two vessels, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were sailing through the southern lane of the strait in Omani territorial waters when they came under attack. The Indian national who died was serving aboard the Mombasa.

According to the UAE ministry, six of the injured were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainians. Four of the injured suffered serious wounds.

The missile strikes caused fires on both tankers and led to significant damage. However, crew members managed to bring the fires under control, preventing a larger disaster in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Condemning the attack, the UAE described it as a “grave violation of international law” and warned that it reserved the right to respond. The ministry said the country would take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and maritime interests.

“The UAE remains fully prepared to confront any threat and respond decisively to actions that undermine regional stability,” the statement said.

What happened in the Strait of Hormuz?

The attack took place in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy routes, with roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil and gas trade passing through it before the current hostilities began.

Why is the attack significant?

The strike comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Hours earlier, US President Donald Trump announced a renewed blockade on Iranian shipping and warned of further military action. US forces later carried out a third consecutive night of strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance systems, drone infrastructure and missile capabilities.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker northeast of Oman’s Qalhat was hit by an unidentified projectile, though all crew members were reported safe. It was not immediately clear whether that report referred to one of the UAE tankers or a separate incident.