The United Arab Emirates is reporting multiple waves of Iranian missile and drone attacks, with at least one making impact and igniting an oil hub.
Sirens sounded throughout the country on Monday as pedestrians were urged to take shelter due to “potential missile threats.” The Ministry of Defense initially reported four Iranian missiles were intercepted or had fallen into the sea, but subsequent waves are continuing to engage the nation’s defense systems.
“The UAE’s air defenses are currently engaging with missile and drone attacks originating from Iran, and the Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of the UAE air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Emirati authorities have confirmed at least one successful drone attack that ignited a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. Fujairah is the UAE’s major oil port in the Gulf of Oman and can be reached without transiting the currently blockaded Strait of Hormuz.
The Fujairah Media Office confirmed that three Indian nationals were injured in the attack and have been transferred to a hospital for treatment. Emergency responders are currently working to contain the blaze.
Additionally, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday confirming that an “Emirati tanker operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company” was “struck by two drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
US SINKS SIX IRANIAN SMALL BOATS AS CONFLICT HEATS UP
It is the first time that the Islamic Republic has fired on the UAE since it struck a ceasefire deal with the U.S. on Apr. 8.
It comes on the same day that the United States confirmed being attacked by Iranian vessels while conducting operations for Project Freedom — President Donald Trump’s campaign to reopen transit through the strait.
“The IRGC has launched multiple cruise missiles, drones, small boats at ships we are protecting. We have defeated each and every one of those threats through the clinical application of defensive munitions,” Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, told reporters on Monday.
The U.S. has acknowledged sinking six Iranian vessels that attempted to obstruct the operations after being “strongly advised to remain clear of U.S. military assets.”
Pressed on whether the hostilities in the strait amount to a break from the fragile ceasefire implemented last month, Cooper said he “wouldn’t go into details of whether the ceasefire is over or not.”
Cooper also praised the UAE’s “exceptional capability” throughout the conflict, adding that they’re “well-positioned to defend themselves, and along the way, these last couple months, have been great teammates.”
PAKISTAN FACILITATED TRANSFER OF IRANIAN CREW FROM VESSEL SEIZED BY US FORCES
The collapsing peace in the region has roiled Trump, who said in a Truth Social post on Monday following the various attacks that it was a “South Korean Cargo Ship” that had been damaged by Iranian attacks. He added that South Korea should “come and join the mission.”
The president said the military has “shot down seven small boats,” which he claimed is “all they have left.”
IRNA, a state-sponsored Iranian news agency, has disputed the U.S. characterization of events and claims none of its small boats have been sunk.
Trump separately told Fox News that if Iran continues to attack U.S. vessels in the strait they would be “be blown off the face of the earth.”