The war between Iran, the United States and Israel has entered a dangerous new phase, with tensions spilling across the Gulf and threatening some of the region’s most important economic hubs. In a dramatic escalation, Iranian authorities have urged residents to evacuate several major ports in the United Arab Emirates, including facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.Tehran claimed the ports were being used as “ports, docks and hideouts” for American forces allegedly involved in recent strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure. Iranian media specifically named Jebel Ali Port, Khalifa Port and the Port of Fujairah as potential targets and warned civilians to leave nearby areas immediately.The unprecedented warning marks the first time Iran has openly threatened major infrastructure in the UAE, a key economic hub of the Gulf and a long-standing strategic partner of Western countries. As drone strikes, missile interceptions and fires near oil facilities continue to be reported across the region, the threat has intensified fears that the conflict could widen beyond Iran and Israel, potentially destabilising global energy markets and the Gulf’s vital trade routes.
Iran’s warning that sent shockwaves across the Gulf
Iran’s evacuation warning came amid rising tensions following US strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s primary oil export terminal. Tehran accused Washington of using facilities in the UAE to launch attacks, although it did not provide evidence for the claim. Iranian officials warned that locations linked to the United States, including ports and logistics hubs, could become legitimate targets in retaliation. Residents and workers near the three major Emirati ports were urged to leave the area because the facilities “may be targeted in the coming hours,” according to Iranian state media.The warning raised alarm across the region because these ports are not only critical to the UAE economy but also play a central role in global trade and energy supply chains.
Why Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah ports matter
- Jebel Ali Port, the
Middle East ’s busiest hub: Located in Dubai, Jebel Ali Port is the largest and busiest port in the Middle East and one of the most important shipping hubs in the world. Operated by the global logistics giant DP World, the port handles millions of shipping containers every year and serves as a gateway for trade across the Gulf, Africa and South Asia. Due to its strategic role in global logistics, any threat to Jebel Ali could disrupt supply chains far beyond the region. - Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi’s growing trade gateway: The Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi is a major deep-water port developed to expand the UAE’s maritime trade capabilities. It forms part of the Khalifa Industrial Zone, a rapidly expanding logistics and manufacturing hub designed to diversify the UAE’s economy beyond oil. The port handles large container shipments and connects the UAE with global shipping networks, making it another vital node in regional trade.
- Fujairah, one of the world’s most important oil storage hubs: The Port of Fujairah is perhaps the most strategically sensitive of the three. Unlike other Gulf ports, Fujairah lies outside the
Strait of Hormuz , the narrow maritime chokepoint through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. This location makes Fujairah crucial for energy security because it allows the UAE to export oil without sending tankers through the strait. The port handles approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil per day, roughly 1% of global oil demand. Recent reports indicate that some oil loading operations at Fujairah were temporarily halted after a drone interception caused debris to ignite fires near energy facilities. Although authorities said there were no casualties, the incident highlighted how vulnerable Gulf energy infrastructure has become amid the escalating conflict.
Drone attacks and missile interceptions across the Gulf amid Iran vs US-Israel war
The evacuation warning came as the Gulf witnessed a wave of drone and missile incidents linked to the widening conflict. Across the region:
- Several Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly been intercepted by Gulf air defence systems.
- Debris from aerial interceptions has fallen in urban areas.
- Fires have been reported near oil storage facilities in Fujairah.
- Some oil operations have temporarily halted due to security concerns.
The attacks are part of a broader escalation following US and Israeli military operations targeting Iranian facilities. Iran has responded by launching missile and drone strikes across the region while warning that countries hosting US forces could face retaliation.
The Kharg Island strike in Iran that triggered the threat
The current crisis intensified after the United States targeted military installations near Kharg Island, Iran’s most important oil export hub. Kharg Island is responsible for handling around 90% of Iran’s oil exports, making it one of the most strategically significant energy facilities in the world. US officials said that the strikes targeted military sites but Iran interpreted them as an attack on its economic lifeline. In response, Tehran warned it could strike US-linked infrastructure throughout the region. This includes not only military bases but also ports, logistics facilities and companies perceived to be supporting American operations.The war between Iran and Israel, backed by the United States, began escalating rapidly after a series of attacks in late February. Within weeks, the conflict spread across multiple fronts with missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, drone attacks across the Gulf, strikes targeting energy infrastructure and cyberattacks on regional systems.Thousands of casualties have been reported in Iran since the conflict began, according to international reports. As the war enters its third week, analysts fear the region may be on the brink of a much larger confrontation.
The Strait of Hormuz: The world’s most dangerous chokepoint amid Iran vs US-Israel war
Another reason the situation is so dangerous is the proximity of the conflict to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. The strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and carries enormous volumes of oil and gas shipments from countries including:
- Saudi Arabia
- the UAE
- Kuwait
- Iraq
- Qatar.
Since roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through this narrow waterway, any disruption could send energy prices soaring worldwide. Global markets have already shown signs of panic, with oil prices surging amid fears of supply disruptions.
How the UAE and global markets are responding to Iran vs US-Israel war
The UAE has not publicly confirmed Iran’s claims that US forces launched strikes from Emirati territory. However, authorities have taken several precautionary steps as tensions rise.These include:
- urging residents to report debris from intercepted missiles or drones
- increasing security around critical infrastructure
- tightening controls on social media misinformation related to attacks.
- Energy companies operating in the region are also monitoring the situation closely.
Even temporary disruptions to Gulf ports could have far-reaching consequences for global shipping, oil markets and international trade.
Could Gulf cities become targets in Iran vs US-Israel war?
Iran’s warning has raised concerns that major cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi could become targets if the conflict escalates further. However, analysts note that direct attacks on Gulf states would risk triggering a much wider regional war involving multiple countries. Most Gulf governments are trying to avoid being drawn into the conflict, despite hosting US military bases and maintaining close economic ties with Western allies. Still, the latest threats highlight how easily the war could spill beyond its original front lines. For now, the situation remains volatile and unpredictable. Military analysts say several scenarios could unfold in the coming days with escalation of drone and missile attacks across the Gulf, further strikes on energy infrastructure or shipping routes, international naval deployments to secure oil shipping lanes and diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional war. Much will depend on whether Iran carries out the threats against UAE ports and how regional governments respond.The evacuation warning for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah ports is a stark reminder of how quickly geopolitical conflicts can threaten the world’s most important economic hubs. For decades, Gulf cities like Dubai have thrived on stability, global trade and international investment but as the Iran vs US-Israel conflict deepens, the region now faces one of its most serious security challenges in years. If tensions continue to escalate, the repercussions may not be limited to the Middle East and they could ripple across global energy markets, shipping routes and financial systems.
