The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that two national tankers, named 'Mombasa' and 'Al Bahia', were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.

It said the targeting resulted in the death of a crew member of the tanker 'Mombasa' of Indian nationality, and the injury of eight, including four with serious injuries, 'six of Indian nationality and two of Ukrainian nationality'.

It added: The targeting also caused material damage to the two tankers due to the outbreak of fire on them, and the fire on the two tankers has been brought under control.

The Ministry of Defense condemned 'the blatant attack, which constitutes a serious violation and a clear breach of international law, and threatens the security and stability of the region,' stressing that 'the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territory, people, and residents, ensuring the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protecting its national interests and assets.'

The US Central Command announced Monday evening that its forces began launching airstrikes against Iran for the third consecutive night, at the direction of President Donald Trump.

The Central Command added in a statement: 'These strikes will continue to inflict heavy losses on Iranian forces and undermine their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.'

CNN quoted a US official as saying that the United States is targeting Iranian military assets, including coastal surveillance systems, drone capabilities, and missiles, while Axios reported that the US Central Command is planning to launch strikes that will last several days on Iran.

Iranian media reported hearing explosions in the cities of Bandar Abbas and Konarak in the south of the country, and on the islands of Kish and Larak in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump announces reimposition of blockade on Iran

The US President said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is 'open and will remain open, whether with Iran's participation or without it,' announcing the reactivation of what he called the 'Iranian blockade,' which he said only aims to prevent ships of Iran or its agents from entering or exiting.

Trump added that all other countries will have 'fair and open' use of the strait, indicating that the United States will henceforth be known as the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.'

He explained that Washington, as such, and 'in fairness,' will charge a 20% fee on all shipments transported through the strait, to compensate it for 'all necessary costs' of providing safety and security in this region that he described as a 'highly volatile' part of the world.