The authorities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have held Iran responsible this Monday for a cruise missile attack on two Emirati-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that has left at least one dead and eight injured, four of them in critical condition.
"The national ships 'Mombasa' and 'Al Bahia' have been targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters," the Emirati Ministry of Defense reported in a message posted on social media.
According to the same source, as a result of this attack, a crew member of the "Mombasa," of Indian nationality, has died, while eight other people have been injured, four of them seriously. Among the injured are six citizens of India and two of Ukraine.
The two ships have also suffered significant material damage from the fires that broke out on board after the impact of the missiles attributed to the Islamic Republic. However, the authorities have specified that the fires have finally been brought under control.
The Ministry has condemned this "brazen attack" which, it has stressed, constitutes a "grave violation and a clear breach of International Law that threatens the security and stability of the region." In this regard, it has insisted that the Emirates reserves the right to "respond to this escalation" and to "take the necessary measures" to safeguard its territory, its population, and residents, with the aim of guaranteeing its sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as protecting its national interests and capabilities.
Likewise, the Defense Department has indicated that it is in a state of "maximum alert" and "fully prepared" to face any threat, while assuring that it is taking "all necessary measures to firmly counter any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the State."
Moments before the UAE's public denunciation, the British Navy's maritime trade agency (UKMTO) had reported an "incident" recorded 40 nautical miles (about 74 kilometers) northeast of the Omani city of Qalhat.
"The captain of a vessel reports being hit by an unknown projectile in the starboard engine room. All crew are safe and accounted for, with no environmental impact reported," the British agency's notice reads.
The UKMTO has indicated that the authorities continue to analyze what happened and has recommended that ships transiting the area exercise extreme caution and immediately report any suspicious activity.
These events occur in a context of a sharp increase in tension and cross-attacks between the United States and Iran, especially during the last three days, in which, for the third consecutive day, US President Donald Trump has ordered a new wave of bombings on Iranian territory.