UAE Accuses Iran of Attacking Two of Its Tankers in Hormuz
The United Arab Emirates said two tankers belonging to its state oil company were struck by drones in the Strait of Hormuz, with no injuries reported, and blamed Iran. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain condemned the attack, which sharpens the standoff over the vital waterway that Iran has vowed to keep shut. Tehran had not commented. Oil, already up more than 5 per cent this week, held near $87 a barrel.
The strait, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes, has become the most dangerous flashpoint of the confrontation with Iran, and a direct hit on Emirati vessels marks a significant escalation. That Gulf states usually cautious about pointing the finger at Tehran did so openly reflects how alarmed the region has become. Iran has insisted the strait will stay closed until its demands are met, including compensation for an earlier tanker spill, while President Trump has vowed to keep Iranian ports under blockade. Each incident risks dragging more players into a confrontation with global consequences, since any sustained disruption to Gulf oil feeds through to prices worldwide. Watch whether Iran responds and how far the Gulf states escalate.