Capitals, Aug. 16 (SANA) Arab states on Saturday condemned an attack on an oil tanker belonging to the UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with Bahrain and Kuwait describing the incident as a violation of international law and a threat to maritime security.
Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on X that it strongly condemned the Iranian attack, calling it a violation of international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
The ministry called on the UN Security Council to take measures to protect freedom of navigation and maritime safety and to ensure that Iran stops attacks on commercial vessels and oil tankers.
It also called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened fully and unconditionally, saying this would help preserve regional security and stability and safeguard global energy supplies and food security.
Kuwait also condemned the Iranian attack on an ADNOC vessel while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying repeated incidents threatened maritime safety, international trade and global energy supplies.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said such attacks represented a direct threat to freedom of navigation and the security of maritime routes.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi rejected any attempts to use the strategic waterway as a tool of pressure or threats, calling on the international community to take a firm position to prevent further attacks.
Al Budaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support for measures taken by Abu Dhabi to protect its security, sovereignty, property and interests.
ADNOC said earlier Saturday that one of its vessels was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, with no injuries reported. The company said the incident was the second involving its vessels in two days after two ADNOC-linked ships were attacked while passing through the strait on Thursday.
R.D/ABD
