Fire in UAE, incidents in Hormuz as US-Iran tensions flare again
A series of incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz has raised tensions between the United States, Iran and regional states, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said a major fire broke out on Monday at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone after what they described as a drone strike launched from Iran. According to the Fujairah government media office, emergency crews were dispatched to contain the blaze at the key energy hub on the country’s eastern coast.
Officials said three people were injured and taken to the hospital. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called attacks on civilian infrastructure, describing them as a serious escalation and a violation of international law.
The UAE Defense Ministry also reported detecting four cruise missiles launched toward the country, saying most were intercepted over territorial waters while another fell into the sea.
Iran has not issued a formal confirmation of the attack. However, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran reports that an Iranian military official told state media that Iran had no plan to attack the UAE.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said in an X post that recent events show there is no military solution to the crisis and warned against further escalation, adding that diplomatic efforts are continuing.
In the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported that five civilians were killed when US forces targeted what it said were non-military boats carrying goods and passengers.
The United States has not confirmed civilian casualties. A US defense official said American naval vessels had repelled what was described as an Iranian assault while transiting the strait.
US President Donald Trump said earlier that Iran had fired on a South Korean operated cargo ship, though the vessel’s operator has not confirmed an attack. According to Yonhap News Agency, the cause of an onboard explosion and fire remains under investigation, and it is unclear whether it resulted from an external strike or an internal issue. The ship is expected to be towed to port in the coming days for inspection.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that oil prices jumped 5% amid reports of an alleged attack on US warship.