Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 8 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates has registered its 'strong condemnation of the Iranian aggression' directed at an ADNOC tanker during its passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a statement issued by the UAE Foreign Ministry, the assault represented a 'flagrant violation' of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which upholds freedom of navigation and opposes the targeting of commercial ships in international maritime zones.

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The Foreign Ministry stated that 'targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of pressure or economic blackmail constitutes acts of piracy by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and poses a direct threat to the stability of the region and its people, as well as to global energy security'.

The diplomatic rebuke follows an incident early on Saturday when a vessel belonging to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was targeted by a missile while navigating through the vital shipping route, state news agency WAM reported.

Confirming the attack, ADNOC stated that the situation was swiftly brought under control, with no casualties reported amongst the crew. The Abu Dhabi state-backed entity stands as one of the world's foremost energy producers, supplying crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products to global markets.

While initial reports omitted specific details regarding the vessel's identity, cargo or the extent of physical damage, the UAE explicitly attributed the strike to Tehran, condemning 'the hostile Iranian attack that targeted a tanker belonging to ADNOC with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, without causing casualties'.

Tehran has not yet issued an official response or claimed responsibility for the strike. However, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously warned of hostile measures against maritime traffic in the strategic passage if vessels are associated with adversary nations or fail to comply with Iranian navigation mandates.

The escalation comes amidst broader stability concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Situated between Oman and Iran, the waterway serves as the planet's primary maritime energy corridor, handling approximately 20 per cent of daily global oil consumption. Commercial transit across the vital choke point has faced recurrent disruption following the escalation of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran into a broader regional clash, driving up maritime freight charges and heightening security threats.

Highlighting the severity of these disruptions, the energy giant revealed in a detailed disclosure that 15 of its fleet vessels have been struck by missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of hostilities. This includes three separate strikes during the current week alone, which resulted in one crew fatality and left 20 others injured.

In response to the growing risks, the corporation affirmed that it is coordinating with appropriate regulatory bodies and implementing comprehensive security protocols to safeguard its staff, maritime assets and ongoing operations while continuing to fulfil client demands wherever feasible.

Reiterating its stance on international maritime safety, ADNOC emphasised that 'freedom of navigation and the safe, uninterrupted passage of commercial shipping through international waterways must be respected and protected without threat, harassment or attack.' (ANI)