Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Aug 14: Two vessels belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, according to local authorities and media reports.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as Iranian attacks and called for an immediate end to such actions. The ministry said targeting commercial vessels and obstructing international maritime routes violated freedom of navigation and posed a threat to regional stability and global energy security.
The ministry also called for the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and urged Iran to cease hostilities.
ADNOC confirmed that no injuries were reported and said the situation had been brought under control. The company stressed the importance of protecting seafarers and maintaining freedom of navigation and maritime security. Further details about the vessels or the extent of damage were not immediately available.
Meanwhile, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said an estimated eight million to nine million barrels of oil were still moving through the Strait of Hormuz each day, disputing commercial tracking estimates that suggested a much sharper decline in traffic.
Wright said tracking services did not provide a complete picture because many vessels were operating with their transponders switched off and travelling under military escort. He said US authorities were receiving daily reports on traffic through the waterway’s northern and southern routes.
According to Wright, around 14 million to 15 million barrels of oil a day were leaving the Arabian Gulf region, compared with about 20 million barrels a day before the conflict. He said another six million barrels were being diverted through pipelines.
Wright also said US escort operations were expanding and argued that Iran's ability to disrupt shipping was declining. He acknowledged that US petrol prices remained elevated at around $4 a gallon, while the administration wanted to bring them closer to $3.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is a key maritime route for energy exports from Gulf producers and one of the world's most important oil transit corridors.