To add details

July 14 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that a sailor was killed and eight others were injured after two national tankers were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters, in the latest escalation in the strategic waterway .

The ministry explained that the two national tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahia, were targeted by two Iranian missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters, and that the Indian sailor who died was from the crew of the tanker Mombasa.

She stated that the attack also injured eight people, four of them seriously. Six of the injured were Indian nationals, while two were Ukrainian.

The attack caused material damage to the two tankers as a result of a fire. The fire on both tankers was brought under control.

The ministry condemned this "blatant attack, which represents a serious violation and a clear breach of international law," and stressed that the state reserves its full right to respond to this escalation in a manner that ensures the preservation of its sovereignty and security.

The ministry said it is fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security and stability of the state.

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Tuesday that an oil tanker was hit by a projectile of undetermined nature while sailing 40 nautical miles northeast of Qalhat, Oman.

The agency reported that the tanker's captain stated that a projectile hit the engine room on the starboard side, and that all crew members were safe.

Reuters was unable to immediately verify whether the agency's report referred to the same incident reported by the UAE Ministry of Defense. Iran has not commented on the recent attacks.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would reimpose a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf and ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open—in exchange for a fee. He also warned that US forces would strike Iran again "very hard" in the coming hours, after the two sides exchanged missile and drone attacks.

Iran’s top military leadership insists that the United States should have no role in determining the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and asserts that it will not be allowed to interfere.

Before the outbreak of war in February, about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily, transporting more than 15 million barrels of fuel to global markets worth at least $1.2 billion.