Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have strongly condemned the attack on an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) tanker by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a blatant violation of international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and UN Security Council Resolution 2817 as well as a grave threat to maritime navigation and global energy supply.
In a statement, the Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry affirmed the kingdom’s full solidarity with the UAE, and its complete support for the measures it is taking to preserve its sovereignty, security, stability and vital interests, based on the deep-rooted historical ties that unite the leadership and people of the two countries, stressing that the security and stability of the UAE is an integral part of the national security of Bahrain.
The ministry urged the UN Security Council to uphold its responsibilities and implement decisive measures to protect maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and key international waterways.
It further called on the international community to compel Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease attacks on commercial shipping to preserve regional and global security.
The UAE also condemned what it said was an Iranian attack on a carrier linked to its state oil company as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of ‘acts of piracy’.
State news agency Wam initially reported ADNOC as saying one of its vessels had been targeted by a missile early yesterday and that the situation was under control.
The UAE foreign ministry later condemned what it called ‘the hostile Iranian attack’ on an Adnoc vessel.
Neither statement gave details on the tanker, its cargo or possible damage. No injuries were reported.
About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran prior to the conflict.
Since the US-Israeli war on Iran broke out on February 28, shipping has been repeatedly disrupted, raising freight rates and creating security concerns.
The ministry said the attack violated a UN Security Council resolution on freedom of navigation and accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guards of ‘acts of piracy’ by targeting commercial shipping and using the waterway as a tool of economic pressure.
It called on Iran to halt the attacks and reopen the strait fully and unconditionally.
Iran’s Guards have previously threatened action against any vessels transiting the strait if they are linked to Tehran’s adversaries, or if they fail to comply with Iranian directives.
Adnoc said on Friday that it had been significantly affected by what it described as unprovoked attacks on its personnel and assets, while continuing to meet customer requirements in an ‘exceptionally challenging environment’.
The company said 15 of its vessels had been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the strait since the start of the conflict, including three this week, killing one crew member and injuring 20 others.
Adnoc did not identify those responsible for the attacks in its statement.
Adnoc, the Abu Dhabi state oil company, is one of the world’s largest energy producers and exports crude oil, natural gas and refined products to customers worldwide.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign Ministry expressed the kingdom rejection in the strongest terms of the targeting of an UAE tanker.
These attacks constitute ‘an attack on maritime navigation security and safety and global energy supply security’, according to a statement by the Saudi ministry.
It further said that Iran’s continuation of these attacks is considered ‘a gross violation of international laws and norms, including Security Council Resolution 2817, that provides freedom of shipping and safe passage in sea lanes’.
“The kingdom holds Iran responsible for its continuation of these brutal attacks,” the statement said, demanding an immediate cessation of these ‘transgressions’ to preserve regional stability and peace.
It reiterated Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with the ‘brotherly UAE’ and the measures it takes ‘to maintain its sovereignty and capabilities’.
Iran, meanwhile, said a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz was close but would not be enough to free up the waterway.
Agreement between Iran and Oman over the strait is seen as vital to a wider deal to end the war.
A US official, who declined to be identified, had said on Friday that Washington anticipated an agreement soon between Iran and Oman, which sit on either side of the strait, so that normal oil traffic could resume.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman were ‘very close’ to agreement on a new shipping route through the strait but that reopening it depended on other conditions, including US compensation to Iran.
The secretary of Iran’s top national security body, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, listed other demands including ending US threats against Iran.