UAE Ministry of Defense Reports Iranian Missile Strikes on Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Two Iranian cruise missiles struck the United Arab Emirates national tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah on July 13 while the vessels transited the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz inside Omani territorial waters.

The attack killed one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa and injured eight other crew members, four of them seriously. The injured included six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.

Fires broke out on both tankers and caused material damage before being brought under control. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense condemned the strikes, stating that the attack is “a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region” and that “the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests.”

The ministry noted that it remains on the highest level of readiness and preparedness to address any threats and that it is taking all necessary measures to respond decisively to any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the country.

It added that the public should obtain information from official sources and refrain from circulating rumors or unverified information.

Recent Attacks on Commercial Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz

The July 13 strikes on the UAE tankers form part of a documented series of attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

On or around July 11, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy (GFS) while it was transiting the strait.

The vessel sustained significant engine room damage and an onboard fire, rendering it unable to continue its journey. One civilian crew member is missing and ten others were rescued.

U.S. Central Command forces launched strikes against Iran on July 11 and continued with additional rounds on July 12 in response to the attack on the GFS Galaxy and to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait.

The strikes were carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief. CENTCOM stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic and that U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure freedom of navigation.

According to CENTCOM Iran does not control the strait, and traffic is flowing, with over 140 ships passing through in the prior week.

On July 13, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued advisory 085-26 reporting that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile on its starboard side near the engine room while transiting approximately 40 nautical miles northeast of Qalhat, Oman. All crew members are safe and accounted for, with no pollution or environmental impact reported. Authorities are investigating the incident.

UK Maritime Trade Operations noted the incident as separate from the UAE Ministry of Defense report on the two UAE-flagged tankers.

UAE Ministry of Defense Position and Readiness

The Ministry emphasized its high alert status and readiness to counter threats to national security and stability. No specific follow-up operational details or additional measures were outlined in the July 13 statement.

Official Statements

• UAE Ministry of Defense, July 13, 2026 statement: “The Ministry of Defence announces that the national tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters. The attack resulted in the death of one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa tanker and the injury of eight others, including four who sustained serious injuries. The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals. The attack also caused material damage to both tankers as a result of the fires that broke out on board, which have since been brought under control. The Ministry of Defence condemned this blatant attack, which is considered a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region. The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests. The Ministry further affirmed that it remains on the highest level of readiness and preparedness to address any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to respond decisively to any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the country. The Ministry urged the public to obtain information from official sources and to refrain from circulating rumors or unverified information.”