Drone strike hits UAE’s key Fujairah oil terminal

By Lawrence Agbo

The largest port and oil storage facility in the United Arab Emirates, the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), was attacked by a drone from Iran, setting off a fire but resulting in no reported injuries.

According to authorities, the incident happened on Monday, and specialised emergency crews were sent out right away to secure the building and put out the fire.

Fujairah, located on the UAE’s eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman, is a critical energy hub because it allows oil shipments to bypass the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway largely controlled by Iran and a major chokepoint for global crude exports.

Before the outbreak of the current regional conflict, the UAE produced more than 3.4 million barrels of crude oil per day. The country also operates a 1.5 million barrels-per-day pipeline that transports crude to Fujairah, enabling exports without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The drone attack at Fujairah might have a major effect on the UAE’s ability to produce and export oil, since the most crucial maritime route is now largely closed to shipments due to the rising conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel.

The attack comes despite repeated assurances from Iran that it does not intend to strike neighbouring countries and is only targeting US military bases in the region. However, drone attacks have increasingly targeted Gulf transportation routes and oil infrastructure.

Also, on a separate incident hours later, Dubai International Airport was hit by what officials described as a “drone-related incident,” which caused a fire near the airport and forced a temporary suspension of flights.

Officials say Iran has launched more than 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE since hostilities between Iran and US- and Israel-aligned forces began last month, raising fears of further escalation across the Gulf.