The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of piracy after three Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) tankers were targeted by drone and projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz between August 13 and August 14, 2026. While no casualties were reported, the strikes have drawn sharp condemnation from the Gulf Cooperation Council and regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE demands that Iran unconditionally reopen the strategic waterway, where commercial traffic has plummeted to just 17% of pre-conflict levels amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.
ADNOC tanker drone attacks
- ▪A third Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessel was attacked on August 14, 2026, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking the third such incident in less than a week.
- ▪The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reported that no injuries or casualties occurred in the attacks on its vessels, and that the situations were brought under control.
- ▪Two commercial oil tankers owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked by drones on the evening of August 13, 2026, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
UAE blames Iran piracy
- ▪Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates president, stated that the country will defend its sovereignty and rights to freedom of navigation while prioritizing diplomatic options.
- ▪The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry blamed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the drone attacks, characterizing them as acts of piracy and economic coercion.
Strait of Hormuz shipping risks
- ▪The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on August 14, 2026.
- ▪Commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to 17% of its pre-conflict average, with only 151 vessels entering or exiting the waterway during a seven-day period in August 2026.
- ▪The United States naval blockade of Iranian ports remains active, with U.S. Central Command reporting that forces had redirected 62 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two as of August 14, 2026.
Regional diplomatic solidarity
- ▪Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned the attacks on the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company tankers, calling them an unacceptable escalation and a serious violation of international law.
- ▪Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt issued statements condemning the attacks on the United Arab Emirates tankers and expressing solidarity with the country.
Freedom of navigation violations
- ▪The United Arab Emirates called on Iran to halt its unprovoked attacks, commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities, and completely and unconditionally reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- ▪The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry stated that the attacks on its commercial vessels violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, which guarantees freedom of navigation.
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