The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of a "brazen" attack on two national tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others. Four of the wounded were listed in serious condition. Six of the injured were Indian nationals, two were Ukrainian, according to the UAE Ministry of Defense.
"The Ministry of Defense condemns this brazen attack, which constitutes a serious violation and a clear breach of international law, threatening the security and stability of the region," the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
The attack came as the United States launched strikes against Iran for the third consecutive night. US Central Command said the strikes were launched at 4:45 p.m. Eastern Time Monday at "the Commander in Chief's direction." Iran's army said it had targeted US military assets in Kuwait in response, according to Iranian state media.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US was reinstating a naval blockade of Iranian ports and would impose a 20% charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade took effect at 4 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday. Trump said the measure would stop "Iran's ships or customers" from entering or leaving the key oil shipping route, while allowing all other countries "fair and open use of the Strait."
"The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,' but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World," Trump wrote in his post.
Iran's foreign minister responded by saying Tehran would remain the Strait's "GUARDIAN," using Trump's own word back at him.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the US was "hitting them very hard." He added: "We're knocking out all of their offensive capability. And we're controlling the Strait." Trump had told Fox News earlier that the US would "probably run" the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that Iran "broke" a deal made with the US. "We are taking over the strait," he said.
Despite the escalating military exchanges, Trump said a diplomatic resolution was not off the table. Asked about peace talks between the two countries, he said: "Yeah, I think a deal is possible, sure, I do."
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes. The dispute over its control has complicated efforts to end the broader conflict between the two countries, according to BBC News.
