Guwahati: An Indian mariner was killed, and eight crew members were injured, including six Indians, after Iran launched an attack on two UAE-flagged tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates Defence Ministry said on July 14.
According to the ministry, Iran fired two cruise missiles at the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah while they were sailing through the strategically important waterway. The strikes caused fires to break out on both vessels, but emergency response teams later brought the situation under control.
The attack killed one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa tanker and injured eight others, including four who suffered serious injuries. The injured crew members include six Indians and two Ukrainian nationals, according to the UAE Defence Ministry. The missile strikes also caused damage to both vessels after fires broke out onboard, though the flames were later brought under control.
The two vessels were operating in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The waterway is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, with a major share of global oil shipments passing through it.
The attack took place amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States, with both sides engaged in a series of retaliatory strikes. The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of commercial vessels navigating through the Gulf region.
The death of the Indian sailor has also highlighted the risks faced by Indian maritime workers operating in conflict zones. Authorities are expected to coordinate with concerned agencies to provide assistance to the affected crew members and facilitate further arrangements.