Iran seized a United Arab Emirates-registered ship violating its territorial waters this week, Iran’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, adding the UAE coast guard killed two Iranian fishermen the same day.
Tensions have risen between the two oil-rich countries that face each other across the Gulf since last week’s agreement between the Gulf state and Tehran’s arch-foe Israel to normalise ties.
“On Monday, an Emirati ship was seized by the border guards of Iran and its crew were detained due to illegal traffic in our country’s waters,” state TV quoted a ministry statement as saying.
“On the same day, UAE guards shot dead two Iranian fishermen and seized a boat… The UAE has expressed regret for the incident and in a letter on Wednesday announced its readiness to pay compensation.”
Iran summoned the UAE charge d’affairs in Tehran over the incident.
The UAE foreign ministry declined to comment when contacted by Reuters news agency.
State news agency WAM reported on Monday the Gulf state’s coast guard tried to stop eight fishing boats that violated its territorial waters northwest of Sir Bu Nu’Ayr island, without reporting any casualties.
