EXPLAINERIf confirmed, it would be Iran’s first attack on the UAE since the US-Iran ceasefire took effect on April 8.By ReutersPublished On 5 May 20265 May 2026The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused Iran of launching “a barrage” of missiles and drones at the port of the eastern emirate of Fujairah, injuring three Indian nationals and setting an oil refinery at the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone ablaze.The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said its air defences had “engaged” 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran over the course of the day on Monday.Iran’s state television reported that military officials laid the blame for the attacks on the “US military’s adventurism”.Where is Fujairah?Fujairah is one of the seven emirates of the UAE. It is home to a multipurpose deep-sea port, located on the Gulf of Oman.The port lies about 70 nautical miles (roughly 130km, or 80 miles) outside the Strait of Hormuz and about 130km east of Dubai.This is not the first time Fujairah has been targeted. On April 6, authorities in the emirate said they were responding to an “incident” in which a drone approached from Iran towards the building of the telecommunications company, du. They did not say whether the drone struck, and did not report any injuries.What is the significance of the Fujairah port?The port serves multiple purposes. It is the terminus of the Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline, also known as the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP).This 380km (235-mile) pipeline runs from Habshan, an oil and gasfield in southwestern Abu Dhabi, to the port of Fuj …
