Iranian cruise missiles struck two UAE-owned supertankers in the southern Strait of Hormuz on July 13-14, killing one sailor and injuring eight others. The UAE’s Ministry of Defense called the attacks a “brazen” violation of international law and invoked its right to self-defense, while Gulf states quickly lined up behind Abu Dhabi in condemning the strikes.
What happened in the Strait
The two supertankers were hit during the latest escalation in the broader Iran-US conflict that has defined much of 2026’s geopolitical landscape. Among the injured crew members, six were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian, according to reporting from The National.
ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber didn’t mince words, characterizing the attacks as “global economic warfare.” The UAE operates one of the largest tanker fleets transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and any sustained threat to that corridor has cascading effects well beyond Abu Dhabi.
Gulf states have rallied around the UAE’s position, presenting a unified front that appears aimed at building momentum for formal UN action.
