On 14 August, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf condemned “Iran’s attack” on two oil tankers operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Describing the attack as a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation”, the Riyadh-based group of six oil-producing nations stated that the tankers, owned by the United Arab Emirates, had been attacked whilst exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The Council stated that the attack was a “direct threat to the safety of maritime navigation” and called on the international community to take a firm stance to put an end to these “dangerous attacks”. The group also reaffirmed its solidarity with the UAE and its support for the measures taken by Abu Dhabi to protect its security, sovereignty and interests.
The attack was also condemned by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that it threatened the safety of maritime navigation and freedom of movement through a key international waterway.
In a statement on 7 August, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company reported that, since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, 15 of its vessels had come under rocket and drone attacks whilst transiting the Strait of Hormuz.