Jassim Mohammed al-Badawi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has denounced “in the strongest terms” the Iranian attack on an Emirati oil tanker during transit in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.

Two suicide drones hit the vessel as it sailed the seas.

“The continuation of these brutal Iranian attacks by targeting ships passing through the strait is piracy and serious extortion of the security of sea lanes and straits,” al-Badawi is quoted as saying in a statement on the GCC’s website.

“His Excellency expressed the GCC’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support in all measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability.”