The UAE has strongly condemned a strike on an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman, calling it a 'terrorist attack' and a 'grave escalation' that poses a serious threat to international maritime navigation and regional stability. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the commercial vessel was sailing from Somalia when it came under attack on Wednesday. All 14 crew members were rescued by Omani authorities, though it was not immediately known who carried out the strike. As reported by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the attack represents a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirms the importance of freedom of maritime navigation and rejects the targeting of commercial vessels. The incident occurred amid the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway close to the coast of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass. Latest reports indicate that another cargo ship near Oman sank after being attacked, while a ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran, highlighting the escalating nature of the maritime tensions.
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the attack constitutes a 'dangerous escalation' aimed squarely at undermining the stability of critical waterways. The ministry stressed that targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool for pressure or economic blackmail amounted to acts of piracy and posed a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security. The UAE's strong condemnation reflects the serious nature of the incident and its potential impact on regional maritime stability. The ministry's statement was released on Thursday, demonstrating the urgency with which the Emirates views this development and the escalating nature of the attack.
The UAE expressed solidarity with India and affirmed its full support for all measures aimed at protecting the security and safety of Indian vessels and safeguarding its interests. According to the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, the country supports all actions taken to ensure maritime security in the region. Earlier, India had described the attack as 'unacceptable', while at least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the conflict broke out. The condemnation comes hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Abu Dhabi for a pre-scheduled visit, with diplomats saying the attack is almost certain to dominate talks between the two nations. Both sides are expected to discuss enhanced maritime security cooperation across the Gulf and the Arabian Sea during the diplomatic engagement.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not yet publicly identified the vessel or any casualties, with the official Spokesperson's statement saying that all Indian crew on board are safe and thanking Omani authorities for their rescue efforts. India reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided. Official sources confirmed that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation and remains engaged in diplomatic discussions regarding the incident's implications for regional maritime security. The latest developments, including the seized ship being taken toward Iran and the sunken cargo ship near Oman, underscore the escalating nature of maritime tensions in the region.
