An Indian crew member was killed, and six others were wounded after two United Arab Emirates tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting through Strait of Hormuz. The Defence Ministry of the UAE said this in a social media post today.

The ministry said the tankers, the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted in the southern lane of the strait in ​Omani territorial waters. The dead crew member was aboard the Mombasa tanker. Of the eight wounded, four ​were seriously injured. Six of the wounded were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian nationals.

The UAE defence ministry condemned the attack, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and a serious threat to regional security and stability. The ministry affirmed that it remains on the highest level of readiness and preparedness to address any threats, and said that it is taking all necessary measures to respond decisively to any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the country.

The latest incidents in the waterway come after weeks of heightened tensions in the West Asian region.