UAE Condemns Iran’s ‘Brazen’ Attack on Tankers as US Launches Fresh Strikes
Escalating Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
Samael.lol – The United Arab Emirates has issued a strong condemnation following what it described as a “brazen” assault on two of its national tankers navigating the critical Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred on Monday and resulted in one fatality and eight injuries among the crew members aboard the vessels. This maritime confrontation coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would implement a 20 percent surcharge on all cargo passing through the strategically vital waterway as part of a newly established blockade.
The US president characterized the ongoing military operations against Iran as particularly intense, noting that American forces were “hitting them very hard.” These strikes marked the third consecutive night of American military action as hostilities between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify. In response to the blockade announcement, Iran’s foreign minister made a pointed statement, declaring that Tehran would continue serving as the Strait’s “GUARDIAN”—deliberately echoing terminology previously used by Trump himself.
The Tanker Attack and Casualties
According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, Iranian cruise missiles struck the two tankers during Monday evening. The attack claimed the life of an Indian crew member while wounding eight additional personnel. Among those injured, four sustained serious injuries. The ministry’s statement, published on the social media platform X, detailed that six of the wounded were Indian nationals while two were Ukrainian citizens.
“The Ministry of Defense condemns this brazen attack, which constitutes a serious violation and a clear breach of international law, threatening the security and stability of the region,” the statement read.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a primary flashpoint in the broader conflict between the United States and Iran. Both nations have been engaged in a struggle for control of the waterway, with exchanges of strikes occurring over Sunday night and further confrontations taking place on Monday.
Trump’s Blockade and 20 Percent Charge
Earlier in the day, President Trump took to Truth Social to announce that the United States would reinstate a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. The new policy includes a 20 percent charge applied to all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump explained that this measure would prevent “Iran’s ships or customers” from utilizing the crucial oil shipping route, while ensuring that “all other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.”
“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” Trump wrote in his post.
The blockade is scheduled to take effect beginning at 16:00 Eastern Time, which corresponds to 20:00 GMT on Tuesday. Speaking with reporters at the White House, Trump emphasized that American forces were systematically eliminating Iran’s offensive capabilities while maintaining control over the strait. When questioned about the prospects for peace negotiations, he expressed optimism, stating, “Yeah, I think a deal is possible, sure, I do.”
Iran’s Response and Military Actions
US Central Command confirmed that the latest strikes were initiated at 16:45 Eastern Time on Monday, acting under the direction of the Commander in Chief. Iranian military forces responded by targeting American military installations located in Kuwait, as reported by Iranian state media outlets.
Earlier in the day, Trump told Fox News that the United States would “probably run” the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Iran had violated a previous agreement established with the US. “We are taking over the strait,” he declared. Centcom further clarified that its forces “will resume blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports” starting on July 14. The command added that “the US military continues to support traffic flow through regional waters for all vessels not violating the blockade.”
Responding to Trump’s announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.” He continued: “Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.” “20% is of course too much. We will be fair,” Araghchi added.
Legal Framework and International Reaction
Last Friday, President Trump formally notified Congress through a letter, which was reviewed by the BBC, that the United States had resumed military operations against Iran on July 7. Under federal law, congressional approval is required to sustain military actions beyond a 60-day period. The White House retains the authority to extend this deadline by an additional 30 days when citing national security concerns.
While ship tracking data from MarineTraffic indicates that a limited number of vessels continue to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, overall traffic remains significantly restricted. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization—the United Nations body responsible for regulating global shipping—told Reuters that “IMO stands firmly against charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation.” The spokesperson noted that there is “no legal basis through which to introduce mandatory charges” for such passages.
