Archive · 14 Aug 2026
UAE says Iran attacked two ADNOC vessels in Hormuz
Two ships belonging to ADNOC, the oil company of the United Arab Emirates, were attacked while sailing through a narrow waterway called the Strait of Hormuz.
No one was hurt.
The UAE says Iran carried out the attack.
It was the second time in less than a week that the UAE blamed Iran for attacking one of its oil ships.
The UAE's foreign ministry called it a 'hostile attack' and said Iran's guards acted like pirates.
The ships suffered only minor damage from drones, according to one report.
Many countries depend on this waterway for oil and gas — before the conflict, about one fifth of the world's oil and gas passed through it.
A war between the United States and Israel against Iran started on February 28, and ships in the area have often been in danger since then.
The United States says it can keep its naval blockade of Iran going and plans to put more economic pressure on the country.
Iran did not immediately respond to the accusation.
The UAE accused Iran of attacking two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, with no injuries reported.
It was the second such incident involving ADNOC vessels in less than a week, after the UAE on Saturday condemned an Iranian attack on a vessel linked to the state oil company.
The UAE Foreign Ministry called it a 'hostile Iranian attack' and said Iran's Revolutionary Guards committed 'acts of piracy' by targeting commercial shipping.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said the two vessels suffered minor damage after being attacked by drones, though the UAE gave no details on vessels, cargoes or damage.
The United States said it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and announced plans to intensify economic pressure, while shipping through the strait has been repeatedly disrupted since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.
- Who
- Two Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) vessels owned by the UAE's state oil company; the UAE accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of carrying out the attack.
- What
- Two ADNOC vessels were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, with no injuries reported; the UAE condemned it as a hostile Iranian attack and acts of piracy.
- When
- Thursday evening, as reported on August 13; the second such incident involving ADNOC vessels in less than a week.
- Where
- In the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran.
- Why
- The UAE says Iran used the strait as a tool of economic pressure or blackmail against commercial shipping, threatening regional stability and global energy security amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that began on February 28.
UAE and US position
Iran's position
Responsibility for the attack
UAE and US position
The UAE says Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked the two ADNOC vessels, calling it a 'hostile Iranian attack' and 'acts of piracy' against commercial shipping.
Iran's position
Iran has not commented on the accusation; its Revolutionary Guards have previously threatened action against vessels transiting the strait if they are linked to Tehran's adversaries or fail to comply with Iranian directives.
Use of the Strait of Hormuz
UAE and US position
The UAE says Iran is using the strait as a tool of economic pressure or blackmail, posing a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security.
Iran's position
The Revolutionary Guards have framed potential action as targeting vessels linked to Iran's adversaries or those not complying with Iranian directives, suggesting security grounds for their threats.
US economic and naval pressure
UAE and US position
The United States says it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and plans to intensify economic pressure on the country.
Iran's position
Iran has not responded to the latest incident, while repeated disruptions since the U.S.-Israeli war began have raised freight rates and created security concerns.
- Accused perpetrator
- Iran (per UAE accusation)
- Target
- Two ADNOC oil tankers/vessels
- Location
- Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran
- Timing
- Thursday evening; second such incident in less than a week
- Injuries
- None reported
- Damage
- UKMTO reported minor damage from drone attacks; no other details given
- Trade significance
- About a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait before the conflict
- US response
- Says it could maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely and plans to intensify economic pressure
