00:03Tensions in the Gulf have escalated once again.
00:07The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching a missile attack on a vessel
00:12linked to state energy giant Adnok as it transited the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
00:19Calling the incident an act of piracy, Abu Dhabi has demanded that Tehran immediately
00:25halt attacks on commercial shipping and fully re-open one of the world's most critical
00:30maritime choke points.
00:32According to the UAE state news agency, WOM, an Adnok-linked vessel came under attack in
00:39the early hours of Saturday while passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
00:43Officials said the situation was quickly brought under control and confirmed there were no reported
00:49injuries among the crew.
00:50However, the UAE foreign ministry issued a strongly worded condemnation, describing
00:56the strike as a hostile Iranian attack on commercial shipping.
01:00The ministry accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of using the Strait of Hormuz as
01:06a tool of economic pressure and labeled the attack an act of piracy.
01:11It argued that targeting civilian vessels violates international law and undermines the principle
01:17of freedom of navigation protected under United Nations resolutions.
01:22The UAE called on Iran to immediately stop attacks on merchant shipping and restore unrestricted
01:29passage through the strategic waterway.
01:31The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important energy corridors.
01:36Before the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies
01:42passed through the narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf with international markets.
01:48Since the outbreak of fighting earlier this year, repeated attacks and security incidents
01:53have disrupted maritime traffic, increased insurance costs, and driven freight rates sharply higher.
02:00Iran has previously warned that vessels linked to countries it considers hostile, or ships failing
02:07to comply with its directives, could face action while transiting the strait.
02:12ADNOC itself acknowledged just a day before the latest incident that its operations have come under
02:18unprecedented pressure.
02:20The company said it has continued supplying customers despite what it described as
02:24an exceptionally challenging security environment.
02:28According to ADNOC, 15 company vessels have been targeted by missiles or drones since the conflict began.
02:35The company said those attacks have resulted in one crew member being killed and 20 others injured,
02:42including multiple incidents reported this week alone.
02:45While ADNOC did not publicly identify those responsible for the earlier attacks,
02:50the latest accusations by the UAE directly point toward Iran.
02:55The incident is expected to intensify international concern over shipping security in the Gulf,
03:01where energy markets remain highly sensitive to any disruption.
03:06Analysts warn that continued attacks on commercial vessels could further tighten global energy supplies
03:12and increase pressure on governments dependent on Gulf exports.
03:16As investigations continue, the latest attack underscores the fragile security environment surrounding
03:22the strait of Hormuz.
03:23With diplomatic efforts under strain, and commercial shipping facing growing risks,
03:29the waterway remains at the center of one of the world's most volatile geopolitical flashpoints.
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