Iranian strike causes ‘major fire’ at petroleum facility – UAE
At least three Indian nationals have been injured in a drone strike on a major petroleum industrial site in the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, the authorities have said. The incident took place as the Defense Ministry reported that it repelled an Iranian missile and drone attack.
The strike targeted the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone and caused a “major fire” at the site, the emirate’s media office said in a statement on Facebook on Monday. According to the authorities, the Indians affected by the attack sustained medium injuries and were taken to the hospital.
Earlier that day, the UAE Defense Ministry said three Iranian cruise missiles were successfully shot down over the Arab nation’s territorial waters. Another cruise missile fell into the sea, the ministry said on X.
A senior Iranian military official has said Tehran has no plans to target the UAE, according to IRIB News. The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned what it called “renewed Iranian aggression.”
Earlier, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that the Iranian military hit a US Navy patrol boat near the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command dismissed the claim, saying no navy ships were struck.
The development came after US President Donald Trump promised on Sunday to “help free up” ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz. The key waterway, accounting for around 20% of global seaborne oil trade, has been de facto closed after the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran in late February.
The disruption has led to soaring oil prices, with the average national gasoline price in the US exceeding $4.40 per gallon.
Despite rising consumer costs and a record-high disapproval rating, Trump decided to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to agree to a peace settlement that is satisfactory to Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the blockade an “act of war” that violates the ceasefire reached in early April.
