DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Iran said Saturday that a prospective agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz would not, by itself, reopen the vital waterway, while the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of firing a missile at an ADNOC-linked vessel transiting the strait, underscoring the continuing security risks surrounding one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Iranian officials said any reopening of the strait would depend on additional conditions, including what Tehran described as an end to U.S. interference in the region and compensation related to the ongoing conflict. The comments came as diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement appeared to be advancing, but maritime attacks continued to threaten commercial shipping.
The UAE said an Iranian missile struck a vessel associated with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, while it was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported in the incident, according to Reuters.
The UAE condemned the attack as an act of piracy by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and the reopening of the waterway. The UAE did not disclose the vessel’s name, cargo or the extent of any damage.
The incident came a day after ADNOC said its operations had been significantly affected by repeated attacks on its vessels and personnel.
According to ADNOC, 15 of its vessels have been targeted by missiles and drones since the conflict began, including three attacks during the week leading up to Friday. The attacks have killed one crew member and injured 20 others, the company said.
The reported missile attack came as Iran and Oman were moving closer to an agreement concerning the management and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters reported that U.S. officials had indicated a possible agreement could allow commercial oil shipments to resume and could be accompanied by the lifting of a U.S. blockade affecting Iranian ports. However, Iranian officials made clear that an agreement with Oman would not automatically restore normal maritime traffic.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard separately said reopening the strait was not dependent solely on talks with Oman, reinforcing uncertainty over when unrestricted commercial shipping might resume.
The disagreement highlights one of the central obstacles to restoring traffic through the waterway. While diplomatic discussions have raised hopes of de-escalation, Iran continues to insist that broader political and security conditions must be addressed before the strait can return to normal operations.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy supplies, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Prolonged disruption has forced shipping operators to reassess routes and security risks while increasing transportation costs and adding pressure to global energy markets.
The continued targeting of commercial vessels has also complicated diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region. ADNOC said it was continuing operations while working with authorities to strengthen protections for its personnel, vessels and infrastructure.
The latest developments leave the status of the proposed Hormuz arrangement unresolved. Although negotiations have raised the possibility of restoring commercial shipping, the reported attack on an ADNOC vessel demonstrates that the maritime security situation remains volatile.
For energy-importing countries and international shipping companies, the key question is whether diplomatic progress can translate into sustained freedom of navigation and a reliable reopening of the world’s strategically important oil route.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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