Two vessels operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were struck by drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to statements released by the United Arab Emirates and maritime authorities. The Thursday evening incident caused no casualties and resulted in only minor damage, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO).
UAE Accuses Iran of Piracy and Economic Coercion
The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry formally blamed Iran for the drone strikes, characterizing the action as a “flagrant violation” of United Nations principles concerning freedom of navigation. According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, the targeting of commercial shipping by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) amounts to acts of piracy and poses a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company stated on Friday that it has faced significant challenges due to unprovoked attacks on its personnel and assets, though it continues to meet customer requirements in an “exceptionally challenging environment.”
Regional Shipping Disruption and Historical Context
The Thursday incident marks the second time an ADNOC-linked vessel has been targeted in the vital waterway in less than a week, following a similar condemnation issued by the UAE on Saturday. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s petroleum and liquefied natural gas historically moved through the narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Commercial transit has faced repeated disruptions, elevated freight rates, and heightened security concerns since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on February 28. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously threatened maritime traffic linked to adversaries or non-compliant with local directives.
Diplomatic Developments in the Wider Middle East
Alongside security developments in the Persian Gulf, diplomatic efforts are advancing regarding the conflict in Gaza. Jared Kushner, son-in-law and negotiator for former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to travel to the Middle East to discuss a ceasefire framework that recently encountered Israeli opposition. An official with the Board of Peace—established by the Trump administration to oversee the fragile arrangement—stated that Kushner, high representative Nickolay Mladenov, and executive board member Tony Blair will arrive in Israel on Sunday. The delegation will subsequently travel to Cairo for meetings with a Palestinian technocratic group designated to assume administrative control of Gaza under the U.S.-brokered plan.
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