Strait of Hormuz: ADNOC says vessel attacked

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said one of its vessels was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on the evening of Friday, August 14, according to the United Arab Emirates' state WAM news agency.

WAM reported that no injuries were caused by the incident. ADNOC said seafarers should be protected and called for freedom of navigation and maritime security to be safeguarded.

The announcement came a day after the UAE accused Iran of attacking two vessels linked to ADNOC as they passed through the strait. The UAE foreign ministry condemned what it called a “hostile Iranian attack” on those vessels and said no injuries were reported.

Last week, ADNOC said three of its tankers had been attacked in the waterway, while the UAE foreign ministry separately announced an attack on another ADNOC tanker a day later.

Iran has imposed an effective blockade of the strait, a vital route for global energy supplies, and has said it wants to charge users for passage. Washington opposes that demand.

A June deal said Iran and Oman would discuss future arrangements for the strait with other Gulf countries and in line with applicable international law. Iranian security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr last week set out conditions for fully reopening the strait, including an end to what he described as war against Iran and its regional allies, the lifting of sanctions and compensation for wartime damage.