In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, Iran issued a stern warning on Saturday, threatening retaliatory strikes against selected targets, including what it described as American “hideouts” located within the United Arab Emirates. This declaration came just a day after US forces launched attacks on Iranian military installations at Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil export terminal. The move signals Tehran’s defiant stance amid mounting hostilities and highlights the growing risk of wider conflict in an already volatile region.
Following the US strikes, several oil-loading operations were reportedly suspended at the UAE’s Fujairah emirate, a critical bunkering hub and crude oil export terminal. Industry insiders and trade officials noted disruptions in normal activities, while television broadcasts captured thick, dark smoke billowing into the sky, underscoring the severity of the situation. An Iranian military spokesperson urged civilians in the UAE to evacuate ports, docks, and areas housing US military facilities, asserting that American forces had used these locations as launch points for attacks on Iranian islands.
US President Donald Trump had earlier issued a stark ultimatum, warning that unless Iran ceased its attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would target the oil infrastructure on Kharg Island. This island serves as the export hub for approximately 90% of Iran’s oil shipments and is situated roughly 300 miles northwest of the strategic strait. Trump’s warning, coupled with his social media claim that US forces had “totally obliterated” military targets on Kharg, sent shockwaves through global energy markets already grappling with supply uncertainties.
Despite the US offensive, Iranian officials downplayed the extent of the damage inflicted on Kharg Island. Instead, they vowed to escalate their military response by deploying more advanced weaponry, including ballistic missiles with greater destructive capabilities. Tehran also declared parts of the UAE as legitimate targets in retaliation, particularly areas linked to US military presence. A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards emphasized Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty by striking the origins of American missile launches, including shipping ports and military shelters within certain UAE cities.
The UAE’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to Iran’s accusations that the US attack on Kharg Island was launched from UAE territory. Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that Iran had launched nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones towards the country on Saturday. Iranian authorities warned residents near major ports such as Jebel Ali in Dubai, Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah to evacuate immediately. They also announced plans to target branches of US banks operating in the Gulf region, further intensifying the economic and security threats faced by the UAE.
Fujairah, located outside the Strait of Hormuz, is a vital outlet for about one million barrels per day of the UAE’s Murban crude oil, representing roughly one percent of global oil demand. Analysts like Helima Croft from RBC Capital interpret Iran’s actions as a clear message that no location in the region is safe amid the rapidly expanding conflict. The timing of Iran’s missile and drone strikes, coming just hours after the US assault on Kharg Island, indicates Tehran’s refusal to allow Washington to dictate the terms of escalation or assert dominance in the ongoing confrontation.
On the diplomatic front, President Trump announced plans for a coalition of countries to deploy warships alongside the United States to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open. This crucial waterway facilitates the transit of approximately 20% of the world’s fossil fuel supplies. Although Trump did not specify which nations would participate, he expressed hope that countries such as China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain would contribute naval forces. Contrastingly, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his late father, has insisted that the Strait should remain closed as a strategic lever of pressure against adversaries.
The US Central Command reported that its forces had targeted over 90 Iranian military sites on Kharg Island, destroying key facilities including naval mine storage and missile bunkers. Behind the scenes, Gulf Arab states are reportedly growing frustrated with being drawn into a conflict they neither initiated nor support, yet are bearing the economic and military costs. Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, criticized Iran’s strategy, labeling it as a sign of military weakness, moral bankruptcy, and political isolation, particularly as Tehran targets Arab Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes.
Iran has shown no indication of backing down, pledging to increase the use of upgraded ballistic and other high-powered missiles. Despite the US attack, oil exports from Kharg Island continue unabated, with provincial officials confirming ongoing operations and tanker tracking services reporting new shipments. Iranian armed forces have warned that any future strikes on their energy infrastructure will provoke retaliatory attacks on oil facilities linked to US interests in the region.
Since the conflict’s escalation in late February, Iran has ramped up oil production and maintained shipments, with much of its crude oil destined for China, the world’s largest importer. The war, which began with extensive US and Israeli bombardments, has rapidly expanded into a regional crisis with significant repercussions for global energy markets and stock exchanges. Over two weeks, the conflict has claimed approximately 2,000 lives, predominantly in Iran but also in Lebanon and the Gulf, while displacing millions of people. US forces have also suffered casualties, including the tragic loss of six crew members aboard a refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq.
