ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates on Saturday condemned what it said was an Iranian attack on a carrier linked to its state oil company as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of “acts of piracy”.
State news agency WAM initially reported ADNOC as saying one of its vessels had been targeted by a missile early on Saturday and that the situation was under control.
The UAE Foreign Ministry later condemned what it called “the hostile Iranian attack” on an ADNOC vessel.
UAE Strongly Condemns Targeting of ADNOC Carrier While Transiting Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/hoOAZ8D0RT pic.twitter.com/UQ6BqzC2Ea
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) August 8, 2026
Neither statement gave details on the tanker, its cargo or possible damage. No injuries were reported.
About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran prior to the conflict. Since the US-Israeli war on Iran broke out on February 28, shipping has been repeatedly disrupted, raising freight rates and creating security concerns.
The UAE foreign ministry said the attack violated a UN Security Council resolution on freedom of navigation and accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guards of “acts of piracy” by targeting commercial shipping and using the waterway as a tool of economic pressure.
It called on Iran to halt the attacks and reopen the strait fully and unconditionally.
Iran warns action against vessels in Hormuz
Iran’s Guards have previously threatened action against any vessels transiting the strait if they are linked to Tehran’s adversaries, or if they fail to comply with Iranian directives.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a ship was hit by a projectile off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, causing a fire that was extinguished but no casualties.
“A verified source has reported that a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile which caused a fire that has been extinguished. There is no reported environmental impact. The vessel and crew are reported as safe,” it said.
UKMTO WARNING 108-26
Click here to view the full product ⤵️https://t.co/MqbE4EZLqo#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/GHKHzwj4KG
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) August 8, 2026
ADNOC said on Friday that it had been significantly affected by what it described as unprovoked attacks on its personnel and assets, while continuing to meet customer requirements in an “exceptionally challenging environment.”
The company said 15 of its vessels had been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the strait since the start of the conflict, including three this week, killing one crew member and injuring 20 others.
ADNOC did not identify those responsible for the attacks in its statement on Friday.
ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi state oil company, is one of the world’s largest energy producers and exports crude oil, natural gas and refined products to customers worldwide.
