UAE reports drone attack on Fujairah oil zone as tensions escalate in Gulf
By Sabeeh Zanair :
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said a fire broke out at a major oil facility in Fujairah following what they described as a drone attack originating from Iran, in the latest sign of rising tensions across the Gulf region.
The blaze erupted in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone on Monday, prompting an immediate response from civil defence teams, according to an official statement. Emergency crews were deployed to contain the fire, while authorities sought to secure the surrounding area.
In a separate statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems had intercepted multiple incoming threats. It reported that three missiles launched from Iran were successfully destroyed over territorial waters, while a fourth fell into the sea. Officials said the sounds heard across different parts of the country were linked to defensive operations against these threats.
There was no immediate response from Tehran to the UAE’s claims.
The reported attack comes amid heightened military tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that has been at the centre of a standoff between Iran and the United States.
Iranian media outlets earlier claimed that the country’s forces had targeted a US warship in the strait, but this was quickly denied by United States Central Command, which said no American naval vessels had been hit. US officials added that naval forces remain active in the region as part of ongoing efforts to secure maritime routes.
The developments follow Washington’s announcement of a new initiative aimed at escorting commercial shipping through the strait after weeks of disruption. The operation, described as a defensive measure, is intended to restore the flow of trade through one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes.
Meanwhile, the UAE also accused Iran of targeting an oil tanker linked to the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company with drones while it was passing through the strait. Authorities said the vessel was empty at the time of the incident and no injuries were reported.
The flare-up underscores the fragile security situation in the Gulf, where a prolonged conflict and competing military actions have already disrupted shipping and driven up global energy prices. Analysts warn that continued escalation could further threaten international trade flows and deepen economic uncertainty.
Iran has previously warned that foreign military presence in the region would be met with force, while the United States has insisted it will continue operations to safeguard navigation. With both sides maintaining firm positions, the risk of further confrontation in the strategically vital waterway remains high.
About Author
