Iran renews its aggression against Bahrain and Jordan.. and against two Emirati tankers in the Strait of Hormuz

From the UAE to Bahrain and on to Jordan, Iran’s treacherous attacks continue amid widespread international condemnation. The General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force announced that Iran is persisting in its systematic hostile approach through its heinous attacks targeting civilians in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In a statement, the General Command said that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a number of treacherous Iranian aerial attacks early yesterday. It affirmed that all its weapons and units are at the highest levels of readiness and preparedness to defend the Kingdom. It stressed that the deliberate use of missiles and drones to target civilians and private property constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

For its part, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that the national tankers “Mombasa” and “Al Bahiyah” were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters. In a statement on its official “X” platform, the ministry said the attack resulted in the death of one crew member of the Mombasa, an Indian national, and injuries to eight others, including four seriously injured—six of Indian nationality and two of Ukrainian nationality. It added that the attack caused material damage to both tankers due to fires, which have since been brought under control. The ministry condemned this brazen attack as a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region, emphasizing that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its people, and residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests and assets.

In a separate statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that this targeting constitutes a blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which underscores freedom of navigation and rejects attacks on commercial vessels or the disruption of international sea lanes. It stressed that using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool for economic pressure amounts to piracy and poses a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security.

Meanwhile, a senior military source in the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army – announced that air defense systems intercepted and shot down four missiles that entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory early yesterday. The source noted that the interception resulted in no casualties or material damage. He stressed that the Jordanian Armed Forces continue to perform their duties at the highest levels of readiness and preparedness, affirming that any attempt to infringe upon the Kingdom’s sovereignty or violate its airspace will be met with firmness.

Condemnations of Iranian attacks and those of its affiliated militias on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, as well as on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, continued to pour in. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the targeting of southern Saudi Arabia by Houthi militias with ballistic missiles, calling it a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a breach of international law, and a threat to regional security and stability. It reiterated Qatar’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its complete support for all measures taken to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents. The Qatari ministry also described the attack on the two UAE tankers as a serious violation of international maritime safety, a direct threat to global energy supply security, and a clear and explicit breach of international law rules. It affirmed that the continuation of these condemned attacks represents a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability, undermining efforts to consolidate regional peace and stability.

For its part, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condemnation of the missile threats faced by southern Saudi Arabia, affirming solidarity with the measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and stability. In a statement, the ministry called on all Yemeni parties to exercise restraint, adhere to the existing ceasefire, and resume the political process under UN auspices to achieve security and stability for Yemen and protect the interests of neighboring countries. The Omani ministry also stated that, in light of discussions and proposals concerning navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sultanate of Oman continues its transparent and neutral cooperation with all parties to restore freedom of navigation in the strait, fully in accordance with international law. It reaffirmed Oman’s full commitment to its obligations as a state party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and called on all parties to respect and act in accordance with international law.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi expressed his strongest condemnation and rejection of the Iranian aggression targeting the two UAE oil tankers. In a statement, Al-Budaiwi said this heinous attack constitutes a brazen violation and a serious breach of the principles of international law and the rules of freedom of maritime navigation, and is a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which emphasized the necessity of protecting international navigation and refraining from targeting commercial vessels or endangering sea lanes. He affirmed that the GCC stands united with the UAE and supports all measures taken to protect its security, sovereignty, and the integrity of its vital facilities and interests.

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, expressed its strong condemnation and rejection of the Iranian attack on the two UAE oil tankers with two cruise missiles as they transited the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters. In a statement, it considered this a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability, and a serious violation of international law, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817. Bahrain expressed its full solidarity with the UAE and its support for the legitimate measures taken to preserve its security, sovereignty, and vital interests. It reaffirmed its firm position calling on the international community, particularly the Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities and take a firm stance to prevent the recurrence of Iran’s heinous attacks and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Syria also strongly condemned the Iranian attacks targeting the two UAE tankers. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs said these acts constitute a violation of international law and the principles of freedom of navigation, and contribute to escalating tensions in the region, negatively impacting regional and international security and stability. The ministry affirmed Syria’s full solidarity with the UAE in facing any aggression that infringes upon its sovereignty, security, and stability, and stressed the importance of respecting international law rules and ensuring the security and safety of maritime navigation.