UAE Under Renewed Drone and Missile Attacks as Iran Targets Key Ports, Airport, and Oil Infrastructure
The United Arab Emirates faced a fresh wave of drone and missile attacks on Monday, with Iran continuing to strike critical transport, energy, and aviation infrastructure amid the escalating war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international passengers, temporarily suspended flights after a fire broke out near the facility following a “drone-related incident.” Some services experienced delays or cancellations, dealing another blow to the UAE’s reputation as a safe and stable global hub.
At the same time, a major fire erupted at Fujairah Port and its industrial zone — the UAE’s largest oil storage and bunkering facility — after a drone strike. Fujairah, located on the Gulf of Oman, plays a vital role in global energy flows, particularly as an alternative export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz when that chokepoint is disrupted by Iran.
Oil loading operations at the port were halted temporarily while damage assessments took place. Analysts emphasized Fujairah’s strategic importance:
“If tensions with Iran disrupt the chokepoint, the UAE can still export oil through Fujairah via pipelines from the oilfields in Abu Dhabi,” said Dubai-based Justin Harper, editor of CEO Middle East.Oil analyst Matt Stanley of Kpler described the port as “ideally placed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz,” noting that it serves as a key stop for crude oil exports to Asian buyers and functions as a “huge vending machine” for ships needing fuel, food, and supplies on long-haul routes.
Saturday had already seen a drone strike on an oil storage tanker at Fujairah, and Monday’s attack marked the third incident near Dubai’s airport since the conflict began.
In Abu Dhabi, a rocket attack on a car in the Al Bahia area killed a Palestinian national, according to the city’s Media Office.
The UAE Defence Ministry reported that air defence systems intercepted six ballistic missiles and 21 drones on Monday alone. Since the war started, Iran has launched more than 1,900 missiles and drones targeting the UAE, focusing heavily on energy and aviation assets in an apparent effort to disrupt regional stability and global oil flows.
Despite the repeated strikes, UAE officials and business leaders have projected resilience. Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh told the BBC last week that the country would “bounce back,” describing its economy as “resilient.” Dubai-based observers note that restaurants are offering promotions to attract diners, malls remain busy, and the business community continues to operate with determination.
The attacks underscore the vulnerability of Gulf infrastructure to asymmetric threats, even as the UAE works to maintain its position as a critical energy and logistics node for global trade. Oil markets remain on edge, with any prolonged disruption at Fujairah or other facilities potentially affecting supply chains to Asia and beyond.
Authorities have not yet released detailed damage assessments or casualty figures beyond the Abu Dhabi incident, but the incidents have heightened security concerns across the region as the conflict enters its third week.
