Three Indian nationals were injured after Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates, with one strike triggering a fire at Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone on Monday.
The incident marks a sharp escalation in Middle East tensions and breaks a period of relative calm following ceasefire between Washington and Tehran earlier this month. Emirati officials confirmed that air defences intercepted multiple incoming threats, even as damage was reported on the ground.
The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi said it is coordinating closely with local authorities to assist those affected. "Three Indian nationals have been injured in today’s attacks in Fujairah. We are in touch with local authorities for ensuring adequate medical care and welfare of the affected Indian nationals," the embassy said in a post on X.
The United Arab Emirates said Iran launched four cruise missiles during the latest attack. According to the defence ministry, three were intercepted by air defence systems, while the fourth fell into the sea.
At the same time, a drone strike sparked a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a critical hub for the country’s energy exports. Response teams were deployed to contain the blaze, officials said, adding that the injured individuals were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
Fujairah holds strategic importance as it allows the UAE to export oil through the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest strike disrupts a fragile lull that had followed weeks of intense conflict in the Gulf. During that period, Emirati authorities said they had intercepted thousands of drones and missiles targeting the country. On Monday, residents in major cities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, received emergency alerts warning of potential missile threats.
Iranian media, meanwhile, reported that the country’s naval forces had expanded their operational zone near the Strait of Hormuz, including areas close to UAE ports such as Fujairah and Khorfakkan.
In a strongly worded statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks as a serious escalation. The ministry described the strikes as “treacherous” and said they pose a direct threat to national security, adding that the UAE reserves its “full and legitimate right” to respond.
The renewed attacks come against the backdrop of continued instability in the Gulf, where energy infrastructure and shipping routes remain vulnerable. With tensions rising again, the risk of further escalation between regional and global powers appears to be growing.
