Iran strikes tankers in Hormuz Strait, Ukrainians among injured
File photo: A fire broke out on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz (Getty Images)
Iranian cruise missiles struck two UAE tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. One crew member was killed; among the wounded were two Ukrainian citizens, Reuters reports.
According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, Iranian missiles struck the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.
One crew member was killed—he was aboard the Mombasa. Eight others were injured, four of them seriously. Among the injured are six Indian citizens and two Ukrainian citizens.
The attacks caused fires on both vessels, which were brought under control.
The UAE called the attack a "blatant attack" and asserted its right to respond to the escalation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, however, stated that it had disabled two violating vessels that allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to pass through a mined route, accusing the US of inciting the vessels to do so.
Both sides had previously signed a 60-day ceasefire framework agreement, but the attacks did not stop. Even before that, the US had announced strikes on 90 military targets in Iran.
Trump also announced the resumption of a naval blockade of Iran. Washington seeks to control the Strait of Hormuz by imposing a 20% tariff on all vessels passing through it.
According to Axios, the White House is preparing for a protracted standoff with Iran. Administration officials acknowledge that the exchange of strikes around the strait could drag on for several days or even weeks.
