UAE accuses Iran of drone attack on Fujairah oil port

UAE Iran drone attack Fujairah marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions after a strike triggered a major fire at one of the country’s most critical energy hubs.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said a drone strike launched from Iran hit the strategic port of Fujairah, causing a large fire. Officials confirmed that three Indian nationals were injured.

Missile interceptions and tanker strike reported

The UAE’s defense ministry said it intercepted three missiles fired from Iran, while a fourth landed in the sea.

Earlier, the foreign ministry reported that a tanker linked to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was struck in the Strait of Hormuz.

Officials described the incidents as a “dangerous escalation” in an already volatile region.

Iran, however, denied targeting the UAE. State media cited an unnamed military official saying Tehran had “no plans” to attack the Gulf nation.

Tensions rise amid conflicting military claims

The escalation comes as the United States said its naval forces escorted ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

Iran rejected those claims as “entirely false” and said it fired warning shots at a U.S. warship. Washington denied that any American vessel had been hit.

Later, Donald Trump said U.S. forces had destroyed several Iranian fast boats in the area — a claim Tehran also denied.

Hormuz crisis continues to disrupt global energy

The Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked following the outbreak of the war in February, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory actions by Tehran.

The waterway typically carries about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, making disruptions highly sensitive for global markets.

Despite a ceasefire announced in early April, shipping traffic has not returned to normal levels.

Oil prices surge after attack

Global markets reacted quickly.

Brent crude rose above $115 per barrel, climbing more than 5% following reports of the attack on Fujairah.

The port plays a crucial role in global energy flows. Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, it allows oil exports to bypass the chokepoint via pipelines from Abu Dhabi.

Regional fallout spreads

The impact of the conflict is widening across the region.

South Korea reported an explosion aboard one of its vessels near the UAE. In Oman, two people were injured after a residential building was struck along the Hormuz coastline.

Qatar condemned the attack on the tanker and called for the immediate reopening of the strait.

Thousands of ships remain stranded

An estimated 2,000 vessels and around 20,000 seafarers remain trapped due to the ongoing disruption.

Trump said the U.S. would begin guiding ships out of the waterway, describing them as “neutral and innocent bystanders.”

However, he did not detail how the operation would proceed, warning that force could be used if the effort is obstructed.

The attack on Fujairah underscores the fragility of the current ceasefire and the growing risk of wider regional conflict. With shipping routes still disrupted, energy markets and global trade remain under pressure.