More attacks on merchant vessels have been reported at the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, with many of the incidents occurring along shipping routes near the Omani side of the strait.
In a statement on Friday, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said that since the beginning of the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran, 15 of its vessels have been attacked by missiles and drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including three attacked this week. These incidents have left one crew member dead and 20 others injured.
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More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
In close coordination with the relevant authorities, ADNOC is taking all necessary measures to protect its personnel, assets and operations, and meet its customer requirements as much as possible, the statement reads.
A merchant vessel caught fire after being struck near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a recording of ship-to-ship radio communications provided by a seafarer on Friday evening, London Time.
The recording, transmitted over an open maritime radio channel, showed crew members battling a fire and urgently requesting assistance.
According to the communications, the vessel was near the Omani coast when it was struck, sparking a fire in the engine room.
The crew had activated the ship's on-board carbon dioxide fire suppression system and attempted to control the blaze. Firefighting efforts were complicated by a failure of the ship's hydraulic system, the recording indicated.
In another segment of the communications, several nearby vessels said they were heading toward the site to provide assistance.
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
More attacks on merchant vessels reported in Strait of Hormuz
The ninth Paris Peace Forum took place in the French capital from Tuesday to Wednesday, calling for reinforced multilateral cooperation to confront global challenges across security, climate, technology and development.
Held under the theme "From sovereignty to cooperation," the two-day forum gathered more than 350 global speakers across more than 80 discussion sessions. The agenda spanned four primary tracks: peace and geopolitics, the planet, development, and emerging technologies. Alongside the main event, organizers held a "Child Summit" focused on children's welfare amid global shifts.
Organizers said this year's forum was held in a backdrop of strain on multilateral institutions and international law, arguing that nations must strengthen mutual cooperation while preserving sovereignty to effectively address worldwide crises.
In a video speech delivered at the opening session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described sovereignty as a core principle of the UN Charter, while noting that cooperation remains essential for nations to safeguard their own sovereignty. Guterres called on the international community to build a networked, multipolar world grounded in international law.
Addressing the tension between safeguarding sovereignty and pursuing multilateralism, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, warned against rising unilateralism.
"Currently, some countries are pursuing many unilateralist, or even hegemonic policies. As a result, for many nations, the issue of how to enhance their own capabilities -- especially the capability to safeguard and defend their sovereignty -- has become rather urgent. On the other hand, however, the enhancement and strengthening of sovereignty should not contradict international cooperation," Cui said.
This year's forum also placed particular emphasis on cooperation regarding critical mineral resources. Experts noted that as long-standing major suppliers of mineral resources, countries of the Global South still need stronger voice and protection of their interests in international resource cooperation, calling for more open and inclusive mechanisms to help them better participate in global industrial and supply chains.
"As a representative country of the Global South, China has actually made substantial policy, financial, and industrial investments over the years, both in strengthening trade and industrial cooperation with other Global South countries and in promoting green and digital transformation," Cui said.
Launched in 2018, the Paris Peace Forum serves as an international platform for states, international organizations, and non-governmental actors to advance global governance solutions.
9th Paris Peace Forum urges global cooperation amid rising pressures on multilateralism
