Drones fell near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, injuring four people, while several ships were struck in or near the Strait of Hormuz as Iran intensified attacks across the Gulf region.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a container ship and a bulk carrier were hit by unknown projectiles off the coast of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. A third vessel was also struck near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire that was later extinguished.
The attacks form part of Iran’s escalating response to joint US-Israeli strikes that triggered the ongoing Middle East conflict. Tehran has targeted US-linked assets across the region but has also hit civilian and energy infrastructure, disrupting oil production and maritime traffic.
The Gulf region has borne the brunt of the assaults, with Iran also targeting key energy facilities. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones aimed at the vital Shaybah oil field and shot down seven ballistic missiles targeting its eastern region and the Prince Sultan Air Base.
Recent strikes have also targeted major oil installations including the Ras Tanura refinery and the Ruwais refinery.
The escalating attacks have severely affected global energy supply chains. QatarEnergy, one of the world’s largest producers of liquefied natural gas, recently halted production and declared force majeure, while energy producers in Kuwait issued similar warnings over potential export disruptions.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that normally carries nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply, has become a major flashpoint as Tehran appears to be tightening its grip on the waterway in a move that analysts say could inflict significant damage on the global economy.
Source: AFP
