- The UAE accused Iran on Saturday (August 8, 2026) of targeting a tanker belonging to its state-owned oil company in the Strait of Hormuz, even as both Iran and Oman suggested talks on administering the vital waterway were progressing.
- The UAE's Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a "hostile Iranian attack that targeted a tanker belonging to ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, without causing casualties".
- Later on Saturday, the UKMTO said a ship was hit by a projectile off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire that was extinguished but no casualties.
- Oman's foreign ministry condemned "repeated attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz", without naming Iran, and said that "ongoing negotiations regarding navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding in a positive and constructive atmosphere".
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that talks with Oman were "approaching the final stages", but cautioned that "this is not a sign of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz".
- The Revolutionary Guards underscored that "The opening of the Strait of Hormuz has its own mechanism and has nothing to do with the negotiations between Iran and Oman."
- Iran has imposed an effective blockade of the strait and wants to charge users for passage, repeatedly attacking ships it accuses of attempting to circumvent its preferred route.
- The U.S. vehemently opposes any Iranian tolls in the strait, though a June deal struck by the warring parties does allow Tehran to hammer out arrangements for the "future administration" of Hormuz in dialogue with fellow coastal state Oman.
- Continued attacks in the strait, which was free to transit before the war, led to the collapse of an April ceasefire, and mediators have since urged both sides to return to the terms of the June memorandum.
- ADNOC had put out a statement saying that since the start of the war, 15 of its vessels had been attacked in Hormuz, "including three vessels this week alone".
The United Arab Emirates condemned a missile attack by Iran on an ADNOC tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region. The UAE's Foreign Ministry described the incident as a "hostile Iranian attack" that fortunately resulted in no casualties.2
Since the onset of the conflict, ADNOC reported that 15 of its vessels have been attacked in the strait, with three incidents occurring just this week. The U.S. has opposed Iran's attempts to impose tolls on vessels transiting the strait, which has historically been free for navigation.
Oman's foreign ministry condemned the attacks without naming Iran, while asserting that negotiations regarding navigation arrangements are progressing positively. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that talks with Oman are nearing completion but emphasized that this does not imply an imminent reopening of the strait. He stated, "The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to other conditions and compensation for the violation of the memorandum of understanding by the United States."45
The Revolutionary Guards reiterated that the reopening process is independent of negotiations with Oman, asserting that the enemy must accept Iran's conditions for the strait's opening. As tensions rise, mediators are urging both parties to adhere to the terms of a June memorandum aimed at restoring stability in the vital waterway.7
“ADNOC reported 15 of its vessels attacked since the war began, including three this week. Iran's foreign minister said talks with Oman are 'approaching the final stages' but stressed that reopening the strait depends on other conditions and US compensation.”
