Attacks strike UAE after Iran accuses it of involvement in earlier strikes

Missiles and drones struck the United Arab Emirates on Monday, killing one civilian, disrupting operations at the world’s busiest airport, and igniting a fire at a key oil facility.

Iran has continued its strikes on the UAE since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, targeting energy infrastructure and disrupting commercial air travel on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks have increased economic pressure on the oil-rich nation, a major global travel hub.

In the normally quiet emirate of Umm Al Quwain, a drone hit a building, causing damage but no casualties, authorities said.

The latest wave of attacks came a day after Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, claimed that US bases in the region were used to launch airstrikes and that missiles had been fired from the UAE toward Iran’s Kharg Island—an allegation denied by Emirati officials.

In Fujairah, a drone strike on oil infrastructure sparked a fire, with no injuries reported. Authorities said efforts were ongoing to contain the blaze. The incident follows reports of smoke seen rising from a major energy installation in the emirate days earlier.

A key pipeline in Fujairah allows a significant share of the UAE’s oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that Iran has closed in response to US-Israeli attacks that triggered the conflict.

State-owned oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has suspended oil loading operations at its Fujairah facility following repeated strikes, according to a source familiar with the matter.

A Palestinian civilian was killed near the capital Abu Dhabi when a missile struck a car, the state media office said. Since the war began, the UAE has reported seven deaths, including five civilians and two military personnel who died in a helicopter crash attributed to a technical fault.

Dubai Airports said flights were gradually resuming at the world’s busiest international hub after a nearby fuel tank fire caused by a drone-related incident. The airport has been targeted multiple times since Iran launched its Gulf campaign.

Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising near the airport and said passengers were moved to lower levels for several hours following the attack. One traveler described “regular explosions” in recent weeks, saying the violence continued even as they prepared to leave.

Iran has launched more than 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE—more than at any other country since the conflict began—though most have been intercepted by air defenses.

Tehran has targeted both US-linked assets and civilian infrastructure across Gulf states, including airports, ports, and oil facilities.

Explosions were also reported in Doha, where officials said dialogue with Iran would depend on an end to its attacks. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting over 60 drones in its eastern region, while Qatar said it faced 14 missiles and several drones, intercepting all but one, which caused no damage.

Bahrain, meanwhile, said it has intercepted around 350 Iranian missiles and drones since the start of the war.