Archive · 14 Aug 2026
UAE Blames Iran for Drone Attacks on Two Tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Two big oil ships were flying through a very important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz.
Suddenly, flying machines called drones attacked them.
The drones were fired at the ships, but luckily nobody was hurt.
The ships were owned by a company from a country called the United Arab Emirates, or UAE.
The UAE said that another country, Iran, sent the drones to attack the ships.
They said this kind of attack is like piracy, which is when people steal or attack on the sea.
The UAE also said it is against the rules that countries follow to keep the oceans safe for everyone.
Iran did not say anything about it right away.
This waterway is really important because ships carry oil through it to the rest of the world.
The ships only had minor damage, and the situation was brought under control.
Two oil tankers owned by Abu Dhabi's state-owned company ADNOC were attacked by drones Thursday evening while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE Foreign Ministry blamed Iran for the attacks and called them a 'flagrant violation' of United Nations principles of freedom of navigation.
The attacks caused no casualties, and ADNOC said 'the situation has been brought under control.'
The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported two vessels suffered minor damage in what appeared to be the same incident.
The UAE accused Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps of acts of piracy and a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security; there was no immediate response from Iran.
- Who
- Two oil tankers owned by ADNOC, the UAE's state-owned oil and gas company, attacked by drones; the UAE Foreign Ministry blamed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- What
- Two oil tankers were attacked by drones, causing minor damage but no casualties, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- Thursday evening, with the UAE issuing its statement on Friday.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, the waterway leading from the Persian Gulf to the open oceans.
- Why
- The UAE says Iran used the attack as a form of economic coercion and blackmail against commercial shipping, calling it piracy and a threat to global energy security.
UAE/Iran Dispute over Drone Attack
UAE/Iran Dispute over Drone Attack
Responsibility for the attack
UAE/Iran Dispute over Drone Attack
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps is responsible for the drone attacks.
UAE/Iran Dispute over Drone Attack
Iran has issued no response; accountability remains unconfirmed.
- Incident
- Drone attacks on two oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz
- Target
- Two tankers operated by ADNOC, Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil and gas company
- Casualties
- None; attacks caused no injuries
- Damage
- Minor damage to two vessels, per UK Maritime Trade Operations Center
- Accused
- Iran, specifically Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, blamed by UAE Foreign Ministry
- UAE Position
- Attacks described as 'flagrant violation' of UN freedom of navigation principles and acts of piracy
- Iran Response
- No immediate response at time of reporting
- Location
- Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open oceans