Indian crew member killed in Iranian missile strike on UAE tankers
FILE PHOTO
DUBAI, Jul 14 — An Indian crew member was killed and eight others were injured when Iranian cruise missiles struck two UAE shipping tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that the national tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted within Omani territorial waters while transiting the southern shipping lane.
The deceased Indian national was aboard the Mombasa tanker, while the injured individuals include six Indians and two Ukrainians, with four reported to be in serious condition. The missile strikes also caused material damage and triggered onboard fires, which have since been brought under control.
The UAE government condemned the incident as a blatant violation of international law and stated it reserves the full right to respond to protect its territory and citizens. This escalation followed US military strikes on Iran earlier on Tuesday, initiated after Donald Trump announced a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and the UAE tankers. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has now claimed the lives of eleven Indian nationals, including three sailors who died last month during a US strike on another tanker.