New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates’ Defence Ministry said early on July 14 (today) that Iran attacked two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian mariner and wounding eight others, six of whom are Indian.In response, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it had summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi and said that it has lodged a “strong protest” against these attacks with him.Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, is away from the New Delhi base.The Emirati defence ministry said earlier today that Iran launched two cruise missiles at the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah. The attacks set both tankers ablaze, though the fires were extinguished.India said that it is deeply concerned by the attacks on the two vessels.The government statement said that both the vessels were carrying 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46.Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life and another has been injured. Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, 9 have sustained injuries, including 2 who are reported to be seriously injured,” the MEA said.Expressing its “deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national” and “speedy recovery to those injured”, the MEA said that the Indian Mission and Post in the UAE are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the UAE authorities “to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers.”India also “strongly condemn[ed] these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.”“We also reiterate our deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region. In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest,” the MEA said.This is the second Iranian attack on vessels carrying Indians in four days. India on July 12 condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, saying one Indian national remains missing while 10 others have been rescued. No information has arrived on the missing Indian so far.Last month, US strikes killed three Indian sailors aboard the tanker Settebello. India twice summoned the US embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Jason Meeks, to protest the attacks.‘Chose to pass through a minefield’Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has claimed the attack on the tankers, saying the vessels “ignored repeated warnings.”“They chose to pass through a minefield and were subsequently targeted and disabled,” the Guard said.“The attack resulted in the death of one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa tanker and the injury of eight others, including four who sustained serious injuries. The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals. The attack also caused material damage to both tankers as a result of the fires that broke out on board, which have since been brought under control,” an early morning statement by the UAE’s defence ministry said.Reports say that marine tracking websites showed the Mombasa was transiting from Zirku island oil terminal in Abu Dhabi to Khor Fakkan in Sharjah. The Bahiya’s route was not recorded.Bahrain also came under renewed attack early Tuesday morning as Iran retaliated over the latest round of US airstrikes. Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens twice, urging the public to seek shelter. There was no word on any damage or casualties from the attack.UAE’s defence ministry condemned the attack, which it called blatant and which it “considered a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region.”“The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents,” the defence ministry added.Fighter jets could be heard over Dubai, the Associated Press reports.Note: This report has been updated with the MEA’s response.