A missile attack by Iran on two UAE-flagged oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz has left one Indian crew member dead and eight others injured, as tensions in the region continue to rise amid the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said the incident occurred early Tuesday when the tankers Mombasa and Bahia were struck while passing through the southern channel of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.

Indian among the dead, six Indians injured

According to the ministry, the crew member killed aboard the Mombasa was an Indian national. Eight people were injured in the attack, including six Indians and two Ukrainian nationals. Four of the injured suffered serious injuries.

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“The national tankers (Mombasa) and (Bahia) were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters,” the UAE ministry of defence said in a statement.

The missile strikes also sparked fires on both vessels, causing material damage. The ministry said the fires were later brought under control.

UAE condemns attack, vows response

The UAE described the strike as a grave violation of international law and said it would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests.

“The state reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territories, people, and residents,” the ministry said.

Authorities also urged residents to rely only on official sources for updates while the country remains on high alert.

Strait of Hormuz tensions deepen

The attack comes as military activity in the Strait of Hormuz intensifies. Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian forces had targeted several “violating” vessels in the waterway. State broadcaster IRIB also said the navy launched cruise missiles at a “hostile vessel of the American enemy”, citing an unnamed military source.

The latest developments follow fresh US military strikes on Iran. On Monday, US Central Command (Centcom) said its operations were intended to weaken Tehran’s ability to target commercial shipping.

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“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” Centcom said.

US President Donald Trump had earlier announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and said the US would impose a 20 per cent fee on eligible cargo passing through the strait.

“We’re protecting a very rich portion of the world. We’re spending money. And so, what we’ve done is, we are going to be reimbursed for protection,” Trump said.

The US military said the blockade would take effect from Tuesday for vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports, while ships not violating the restrictions would continue to be allowed through.

FAQs:

How many Indians were affected in the Strait of Hormuz tanker attack?

One Indian crew member was killed and six other Indian nationals were injured.

Where did the attack on the UAE tankers take place?

The tankers were struck in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.