Iran Strikes at UAE, Ships in Gulf

Time for hellfire. The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones and confirmed a strike sparked a fire at the crucial oil hub of Fujairah. Iranian missiles and other projectiles also targeted U.S. warships and commercial vessels, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command. As tensions flared, the U.S. said it had destroyed several Iranian small attack boats.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are set to hold a press briefing at 8 a.m. ET.

More ships are “en route” to transit the strait after U.S. forces guided two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels through, the military said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said ships trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz would “be categorically dealt with.”

The Israeli military is on high alert following the Iranian attack on the U.A.E., an Israeli military official said.

Oil prices slipped after jumping on Monday.

BREAKING: Iran launched nearly 20 projectiles at the UAE today.

A massive violation of the ceasefire.

Where is the outrage? pic.twitter.com/OrG2ytc5vw

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) May 4, 2026

CNN reports that Israeli soldiers and their Iron Dome air defense systems shot down Iranian missiles fired at the UAE today pic.twitter.com/7OhduUO53L

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 4, 2026

🚨🇮🇱🇦🇪BREAKING: CNN REPORT: Israel’s Iron Dome helped the UAE intercept the missiles launched from Iran.

We were all united against the Islamic regime. pic.twitter.com/ltqGNJ7MVv

— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) May 4, 2026

The Wall Street Journal sums things up on Monday evening:

Fighting in the Middle East flared, as Iran struck a crucial United Arab Emirates oil port and several ships, testing a shaky cease-fire. The U.A.E., which has backed tougher action against Tehran, said it had intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran. It also confirmed a drone hit sparked a fire at the crucial oil hub of Fujairah, which the country has used to pump much of its crude output around Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. “We reserve the right to a full and legitimate response to attacks,” the U.A.E. foreign ministry said. Iran fired cruise missiles and other projectiles at U.S. warships and commercial vessels as the U.S. launched an effort to help vessels through the strait, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command. Additional ships are “en route” to transit the strait after U.S. military forces successfully guided two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels through the vital waterway, he added. President Trump warned Iran against attacking U.S. ships near the strait (Wall Street Journal).

Iran Drone Strike Hits Oil Terminal in UAE City of Fujairah

Fujairah is critical because it’s the bypass route, the alternate for getting oil past the Strait of Hormuz. Bloomberg: An oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates city of Fujairah was hit in an aerial attack amid an up-tick of Iranian strikes on Monday in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz…. The attack came within hours of an Iranian drone strike on an empty Adnoc tanker off the coast of Oman. A South Korean vessel in the strait also suffered an explosion and fire, Yonhap reported. Oil prices surged on the escalation in hostilities. Fujairah is a key hub for crude and fuels, and its importance has grown during the Iran war due to its location just outside the Strait of Hormuz (Bloomberg). Former U.S. Army Green Beret Chris Rollins: This pipeline was built specifically so the UAE could export oil without transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is not just hitting a coalition partner. They are targeting the infrastructure that lets oil flow without Hormuz. The only other major Hormuz bypass is Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline to Yanbu, which was attacked in April and lost approximately 700,000 barrels per day of throughput. Iran’s message is clear. If they cannot export through Hormuz, nobody bypasses it either (Rollins).

🇸🇦 🤝 🇦🇪
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning Iran’s attacks on the UAE and reaffirming full Saudi support for its security and stability. They also discussed regional developments and coordination. pic.twitter.com/niK6E9rRzT

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) May 4, 2026

More from Axios: CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper told reporters on Monday that after the U.S. began the operation, Iran fired cruise missiles at Navy ships and drones at commercial vessels. All were “engaged” and no U.S. Navy ships or U.S.-flagged ships were hit, he said. Six Iranian small boats were eliminated by U.S. forces, including by military helicopters, Cooper said. CENTCOM said earlier on Monday that it had helped two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels cross the strait. Cooper said multiple U.S. destroyers were in the Gulf to help more ships cross (Axios).

🇦🇪 WATCH:
Iran’s regime has effectively declared war on the UAE, escalating tensions with threats of force and retaliation.

A strong warning is issued from the UAE: every act of aggression will be met with greater consequences.

And, meanwhile, NATO, the EU, and the UK have… pic.twitter.com/Sh3ZXsPqzz

— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) May 4, 2026

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