The United Arab Emirates announced Monday that Iran has renewed its military strikes against UAE territory, including cruise missile attacks and a drone assault targeting oil facilities near Fujairah, while the United States works to restore commercial shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz amid an unstable ceasefire.
According to the UAE Defense Ministry, Iran fired four cruise missiles at the country, with three successfully intercepted by defense systems and one falling harmlessly into ocean waters. Officials in Fujairah reported that a blaze erupted at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following what they characterized as a drone assault launched from Iran. Emergency response crews were dispatched to battle the flames. Tehran has not yet responded to the Fujairah incident allegations.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations center, operated by British military officials, documented two commercial cargo ships catching fire off the UAE coastline. In a separate incident, South Korean authorities confirmed that an explosion and fire occurred on a South Korean-operated vessel anchored in the strait, though no crew members were harmed. The UAE also claimed Iran used drones to attack an unloaded tanker connected to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company while it traveled through the waterway.
These attacks occurred while US Central Command announced that two American-flagged commercial ships had successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a new American initiative to restore normal shipping operations. President Donald Trump warned Sunday that Iranian disruption of this effort “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
Iranian military officials condemned the US initiative and issued threats against international forces attempting to enter the strait. “We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted,” Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi told Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.
The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, serves as one of the globe’s most crucial pathways for oil and natural gas transportation. UAE officials have previously stated that Iranian strikes against infrastructure and civilian locations breach the nation’s sovereignty and endanger regional stability.
