3 weeks ago
UAE accuses Iran of missile attack on Hormuz vessel
In a narrow sea passage called the Strait of Hormuz, huge ships carry oil and gas to people all over the world.
The UAE, a country in the Middle East, said that Iran shot a missile at one of its oil company's ships.
Nobody on that ship got hurt, which is good news.
The UAE's oil company, ADNOC, said many of its ships have been attacked over the past few months and some sailors have been hurt.
Iran says it will only let ships pass safely again if the United States agrees to its demands, like stopping threats and giving back Iran's money.
Oman is trying to help the countries talk to each other, and leaders say they are very close to a deal about a new safe shipping route.
But Iran says a deal with Oman alone is not enough to reopen the waterway.
The United States says normal oil traffic could start again soon, and it will lift its blockade once Iran keeps its promises.
Everyone wants the ships to sail safely again so prices do not keep going up.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said Iran fired a missile at an ADNOC-affiliated vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, August 8, with no casualties reported.
ADNOC said more than a dozen of its vessels have been attacked by missiles and drones in the strait since the US-Israel-Iran war began on February 28, killing one crew member and wounding 20.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman were 'very close' to an agreement on a new shipping route, but reopening the waterway also depends on conditions including compensation from the United States.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council, through secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, demanded an end to US threats, the lifting of the naval blockade, sanctions removal, unfreezing of Iranian assets and war compensation.
A US official said Washington expected an Iran-Oman deal soon, with normal oil traffic resuming once shipping moves without impediments; the strait carries about a fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments.
- Who
- The UAE Foreign Ministry accused Iran of firing a missile at a vessel affiliated with Abu Dhabi's state-owned oil company ADNOC; Iran, Oman and the United States are involved in negotiations over the waterway.
- What
- Iran was accused of attacking an ADNOC-affiliated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran and Oman close in on a new shipping arrangement and Iran conditions reopening the strait on US demands.
- Where
- The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman; a separate vessel incident was reported east of Khasab, Oman.
- When
- The missile attack was reported on Saturday, August 8; attacks on ADNOC vessels have occurred since the US-Israel-Iran war began on February 28.
- Why
- War tensions have led Iran to restrict the key energy shipping route, and it says the strait will reopen only once the US accepts its conditions, including compensation, ending threats, lifting the blockade and sanctions, and unfreezing assets.
Iran's Position
US-Gulf Position
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Position
Iran says the strait will 'certainly be reopened' only when the US accepts its conditions: ending threats and military action, lifting the naval blockade, removing sanctions, unfreezing assets and paying war compensation; an Oman deal alone is not enough, per the foreign minister and the Revolutionary Guards.
US-Gulf Position
A US official said Washington expected an Iran-Oman agreement soon and normal oil traffic could resume once commercial shipping moves without impediments; the US will lift its blockade once a deal is announced, but its actions depend on Iran implementing its commitments.
Proposed Iran-Oman shipping arrangement
Iran's Position
Iran and Oman are 'very close' to a deal on a new route, and Iran says the previous traffic separation scheme is no longer acceptable to Tehran.
US-Gulf Position
The emerging arrangement could give Iran control over vessels entering the Gulf, which US officials have repeatedly said Washington would not agree to, calling such control over the world's most important energy shipping route a significant concession.
Attacks and tolls on vessels
Iran's Position
Iran has used the conflict to justify charging tolls on oil tankers and firing on vessels attempting to cross the strait without its permission.
US-Gulf Position
Oman condemned repeated attacks on vessels in the waterway without assigning blame, and the uncertainty has disrupted global oil shipments and contributed to higher energy prices and inflation.
Key facts
- Attack date
- Saturday, August 8
- Attack target
- ADNOC-affiliated vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz
- Casualties
- None reported in the latest attack
- ADNOC vessels attacked since February 28
- More than a dozen; 1 crew member killed, 20 wounded
- War start date
- February 28, with US and Israeli attacks on Iran
- Strategic importance
- Carried about a fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments before the conflict
- Mediator
- Oman, which called talks 'positive and constructive'
- Iran's key demands
- End US threats, lift blockade and sanctions, unfreeze assets, pay war compensation
Quotes
President Masoud Pezeshkian
President of Iran
“The demands include U.S. compensation, an end to threats against Iran and its allies, and the lifting of sanctions and frozen assets.”
indianexpress.com
“Iran wants a new shipping route and won’t accept the old traffic system, while a temporary corridor is worked out with Oman.”
indianexpress.com
Hossein Mohebbi
Spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
“"Whenever the United States accepts Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will certainly be reopened."”
livemint.com
Sources
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