UAE says Iran attacked two ADNOC vessels in Strait of Hormuz, no injuries

• No injuries were reported and the situation was brought under control, though details about vessel damage or cargo were not disclosed
• The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned Iran's 'acts of piracy' and accused Tehran of using the strait as a tool of economic pressure, threatening commercial shipping
• Approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas transits the Strait of Hormuz, with shipping repeatedly disrupted since a U.S.-Israeli conflict began on February 28, raising freight rates and security concerns

UAE Accuses Iran of Attacking ADNOC Vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) reported that two of its vessels were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, August 13, 2026, with no injuries reported. The United Arab Emirates directly accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of conducting the assault, marking the second such incident in less than a week following a Saturday attack on another ADNOC-linked vessel.

Key Details:

• ADNOC confirmed the situation was brought under control
• No casualties or injuries reported
• No details disclosed regarding vessel damage or cargo
• Iran's Foreign Ministry and IRGC have not commented

Geopolitical Context:

The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned what it termed "acts of piracy," stating Iran was using the strait as a tool for economic pressure and blackmail, threatening regional stability and global energy security. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this critical waterway between Oman and Iran. Since a U.S.-Israeli conflict erupted on February 28, shipping disruptions have repeatedly occurred, raising freight rates and heightening security concerns.

Market Implications:

ADNOC, one of the world's largest energy producers and exporters of crude oil, natural gas, and refined products, faces operational challenges but stated it continues meeting customer requirements despite what it called "unprovoked attacks" in an "exceptionally challenging environment." The attacks pose significant risks to global energy supply chains, with potential impacts on oil prices and shipping costs through this strategic chokepoint.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have previously threatened action against vessels linked to Tehran's adversaries or those failing to comply with Iranian directives.