Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday night (August 13) accused Iran of attacking two oil tankers linked to its oil company in the Strait of Hormuz. Notably, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company confirmed that two of its vessels were attacked while transiting through the key waterway. No injuries have been reported so far in the attack. The ministry or the oil company has not yet revealed the details of the vessels attacked in the strait. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry or its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has not yet commented on allegations levelled by the UAE.

It was reportedly the second incident involving ADNOC vessels in under a week. The UAE, on Saturday, claimed that a vessel linked to the state oil company was attacked by Iran as it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned Thursday’s incident, calling it a “hostile Iranian attack” on the two ADNOC vessels. As per the UAE’s ministry, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had committed “acts of piracy” by attacking commercial shipping and using the key waterway as a tool of economic pressure or blackmail, posing a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security, reported Reuters.

The development came a day after reports surfaced that the UAE released USD three billion billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Emirati banks. These assets also include two tonnes of gold.

Before the conflict, nearly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG shipments travelled through the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman. Since the US-Israel war with Iran began on February 28, disruptions to maritime traffic have pushed up freight costs and heightened security concerns. The IRGC has previously warned that vessels could face action if they are associated with Iran’s adversaries or do not follow Iranian instructions while navigating the strait.

Trump Claims US Has ‘Total Control’ Of Strait Of Hormuz

Earlier this week, United Sttates President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had established control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz while portraying Iran’s military capabilities as severely depleted.

In a post, Trump said the US had “total control” over the waterway and suggested Washington could maintain that control.

“The USA has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!” Trump said, describing the US naval blockade as a “WALL OF STEEL.”

Trump further claimed that Iran had lost much of its military strength, saying the country had no functioning navy or air force and that the IRGC had been “decimated.”

He also accused Tehran of being economically crippled, pointing to soaring inflation and a lack of funds.