World
Iranian Drones Strike UAE Oil Tanker in Strait of Hormuz, Causing Leak
An Iranian drone attack on May 4 hit the UAE-owned crude carrier "Barakah" in the Strait of Hormuz, causing an oil spill, according to TankerTrackers.
A massive oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz originated from the "Barakah," a very large crude carrier (VLCC) owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), after it was struck by Iranian drones, according to the maritime tracking agency TankerTrackers. The incident, which occurred on May 4, 2026, was detected through satellite imagery showing the vessel trailing oil.
Satellite photos published by specialized monitoring sites revealed the tanker with a visible oil slick behind it, following a strike of unknown origin. The same imagery also showed intense activity by small, fast boats in the vicinity of the damaged ship.
Attack Details and Vessel Status
In a statement, TankerTrackers identified the vessel as the "Barakah," bearing identification number 9902615 and owned by the UAE state. The agency reported that the tanker was empty of cargo at the time of the attack, having just completed a covert oil transfer operation east of the UAE to another vessel. It was heading west to load more crude when it was hit once. ADNOC has condemned the attacks.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Saturday that a cargo vessel was struck by a projectile of unknown origin while sailing 23 nautical miles northeast of Qatar's capital, Doha.
