The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a series of missile and drone attacks targeting the eastern emirate of Fujairah’s port on Monday. These incidents reportedly resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals and caused a fire at an oil refinery within the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence stated that its air defense systems intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones, which they identified as originating from Iran throughout the day.
Conversely, Iran’s state television reported that military officials attributed the responsibility for these attacks to what they described as the “US military’s adventurism.”
Where is Fujairah?
Fujairah is one of the seven emirates constituting the UAE. It hosts a crucial multipurpose deep-sea port situated on the Gulf of Oman.
Strategically, the port lies approximately 70 nautical miles (about 130 km or 80 miles) outside the Strait of Hormuz and roughly 130 km east of Dubai.
This is not the first instance of Fujairah being targeted. On April 6, authorities in the emirate reported responding to an “incident” involving a drone approaching from Iran towards a telecommunications company building. Details on whether the drone struck or caused injuries were not disclosed at that time.
What is the Significance of Fujairah Port?
The port serves several vital functions. Notably, it acts as the terminus for the Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline, also known as the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP).
This 380 km (235-mile) pipeline extends from Habshan, an oil and gas field in southwestern Abu Dhabi, directly to the port of Fujairah.
Operational since 2012, the pipeline boasts a capacity to transport approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil per day (bpd). This capacity makes the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline a critical route in the Middle East, offering producers an alternative to mitigate potential disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Monday, US President Trump announced that US forces would begin escorting stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. This move signaled a direct challenge to Iran’s effective closure of the strategic waterway, which normally facilitates the shipment of 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies in peacetime. The strait has been largely inaccessible since US-Israeli attacks began on February 28, leading to threats from Iran against shipping.
The ongoing closure of this vital maritime corridor has significantly impacted global oil and fertilizer prices, leading to surges and raising concerns about a potential global recession and food crisis.
While the exact volume of oil currently being transported through the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline remains unclear, oil exports from Fujairah have reportedly increased in the past month since the strait’s closure. Kpler analyst Johannes Rauball informed Reuters that exports averaged 1.62 million bpd in March, up from 1.17 million bpd in February.
Beyond its role in oil transport, Fujairah port is also a major global hub for ship refuelling and provides comprehensive services for general cargo, dry bulk, and containers.
Response to the Attack on the UAE
Following a day of reported drone and missile attacks within the UAE, including the incident at the Fujairah oil refinery, the UAE characterized the actions as a serious escalation of tensions in the Gulf and affirmed its right to respond.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in a post on X on Tuesday, condemned the attack as “unacceptable,” calling for an “immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians.”
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities released a map depicting what they claimed was an expanded maritime area now under Iranian control. This area reportedly stretches beyond the strait to include significant sections of the UAE coastline, sparking concerns about further regional conflict.
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