Iran Threatens to Strike UAE Ports as US Attacks on Kharg Island Push Strait of Hormuz into Chaos

Iran has issued its first direct threat to attack infrastructure in a neighbouring country, the United Arab Emirates, calling on residents to immediately evacuate three major ports – Jebel Ali in Dubai, Khalifa in Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah – which Tehran now labels “legitimate targets”.

The Islamic Republic claims the United States launched strikes on its Kharg Island oil export terminal and Abu Musa Island from locations inside the UAE, including Ras Al-Khaimah and an area very close to Dubai. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told MS NOW that the attacks came from UAE soil, describing the situation as extremely dangerous while pledging Iran would avoid hitting populated areas.

This escalation comes barely 24 hours after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, Iran’s main crude export hub. Trump warned that Iran’s oil infrastructure itself could be next if Tehran continues disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that normally carries one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

NaijaChoice News reports that shipping through the Strait has virtually ground to a halt, with vessels backed up and oil-loading operations already suspended at Fujairah – a key bunkering and crude export terminal – following a drone attack and fire on Saturday. Industry sources confirmed the suspension, sending fresh shockwaves through global energy markets.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and joint military command have repeatedly stated that any further strike on Iranian oil facilities will trigger retaliation against “US-linked oil, economic and energy infrastructures” across the region, including ports, docks and military sites in the UAE. Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf targets since the war began, insisting it is only hitting US and Israeli assets, even as airports and oil fields have come under threat.

Israel, for its part, announced another wave of strikes inside Iran, claiming its air force hit over 200 targets in the past day alone, including missile launchers, defence systems and weapons factories.

NaijaChoice News gathered that global anxiety is mounting over oil prices and supply lines. President Trump on Saturday urged China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe”. Britain responded that it is already discussing options with allies.

Closer home, the Nigerian government has activated plans to evacuate citizens stranded in Iran amid the ongoing bombardments. Officials say security risks and airspace closures have delayed full-scale operations, but Nigerian embassy teams are working with evacuees to move them safely across borders.

Energy experts say the crisis could hand Nigeria a short-term boost as higher global oil prices lift export revenues. However, importers are already warning of rising freight costs from Asia, potential delays in goods arrival and higher pump prices that could fuel inflation.