Ship Reportedly Seized Off UAE Coast, Now Heading for Iranian Waters

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has received a report today of an incident 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The vessel has been taken by unauthorised personnel whilst at anchor and is now bound for Iranian Territorial Waters.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that the UAE was directly involved in military operations against Iran.

Earlier, at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting Mr Araghchi said that regional instability is a “lose-lose proposition for all sides, including the aggressors.” He went on to add that consumers and governments around the world now sense and understand differently.

Meanwhile, Iran has begun allowing Chinese vessels (around 30 in number) to transit through the Strait of Hormuz after an understanding was reached over Iranian management protocols for the waterway, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency has reported.

Also, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA has reported that a Kuwait Petroleum Corporation tanker, Al Salmi, was hit early on Tuesday in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port, causing damage to the vessel and a fire onboard. There are fears a possible oil spill in the surrounding waters.

Read More: Shipping Through Conflict - The Mounting Cost of War on Middle East Logistics