Tensions flare up over Strait of Hormuz as ship is reported seized and heading toward Iran

A vessel anchored off the UAE’s east coast was seized Thursday and is now heading toward Iranian waters, according to the British military. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported the ship was taken by unauthorized personnel 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz, while investigations continue without immediate claims of responsibility. Separately, an Indian-flagged cargo ship, the *Haji Ali*, sank off Oman’s coast after an attack sparked a fire Wednesday. All 14 Indian crew members were rescued by Oman’s coast guard and are safe, though India’s foreign ministry condemned the incident as unacceptable without identifying the attackers. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which one-fifth of the world’s daily oil passes, remains a flashpoint. Iran’s judiciary insists it has the legal right to seize oil tankers linked to the U.S., citing American violations of maritime law, while regional tensions threaten global fuel prices. The incidents occurred amid heightened diplomatic activity. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed during a Beijing summit that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, while Iranian semiofficial reports claimed China’s ships passed through under new Iranian protocols after Beijing’s intervention. Iranian state media also highlighted tensions with Israel, citing claims that Israeli leaders had secretly visited the UAE despite the Gulf nation’s denial. The UAE and Israel normalized relations in 2020, but Iran has repeatedly criticized the agreement, alleging an Israeli military presence in the region. Fujairah, a key UAE oil export terminal, has faced repeated attacks, further destabilizing the area. The escalation underscores the fragility of shipping routes and the broader geopolitical risks in the Middle East.