Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a missile strike against two UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Among eight wounded crew members are two Ukrainian citizens.
What Happened
Cruise missiles fired by the IRGC hit the tankers "Mombasa" and "Al-Bahia" as they transited the southern shipping corridor of the strait in Omani territorial waters. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, one Indian sailor died aboard the "Mombasa," while six other Indians and two Ukrainians were injured. Fires broke out on both vessels following the strikes.
The IRGC claimed responsibility for the strike, calling the tankers "non-compliant." According to Tehran's version, the vessels ignored warnings, disabled navigation systems, and attempted to pass through the strait without Iranian permission. However, the IRGC statement did not mention the vessels by name—a discrepancy that neither Iran nor international observers have yet explained.
Kyiv's Response
"We strongly condemn Iran's missile strikes on United Arab Emirates oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in injuries to two Ukrainian citizens. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full opening of the strait."
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister
According to Sybiha, Ukrainian diplomatic missions in the UAE and Oman are already coordinating assistance to the wounded sailors in cooperation with local authorities.
Broader Context
The attack occurred amid a sharp escalation of US-Iranian tensions. US Central Command had already conducted at least three consecutive nights of strikes against Iranian military facilities. Simultaneously, President Trump announced the resumption of a maritime blockade of Iranian ports and imposed a 20 percent tariff on vessels transiting the strait.
Iran, for its part, insists that commercial vessels must travel along a corridor off the Iranian coast and obtain permission from Tehran. The "Mombasa" and "Al-Bahia" allegedly ignored this requirement by choosing the southern route through Omani waters.
- Killed: 1 (Indian citizen, aboard "Mombasa")
- Wounded: 8—6 Indians, 2 Ukrainians
- Vessels: "Mombasa" and "Al-Bahia," UAE flag
- Location: Southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, Omani waters
Approximately 34 percent of global oil transit passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any prolonged closure or "permitted corridor" regime directly affects global energy prices—and impacts all those who earn their living at sea, including thousands of Ukrainian sailors in the region.
If the US and Iran fail to reach an agreement on a shipping regime by the end of the current round of negotiations, the question of which route will be considered "legitimate" will effectively remain a weapon in Tehran's hands—regardless of any declarations about an "open strait."
