ABU DHABI / DUBAI — May 6, 2026 : Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the recent attack on oil infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, after UAE media reports alleged that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the strike aimed at disrupting regional oil exports, while Iranian military officials formally denied carrying out any attacks on UAE territory.
The competing narratives follow a drone strike earlier this week that targeted facilities at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a strategic export hub on the UAE’s eastern coast. The incident triggered fires at oil storage infrastructure, prompted emergency security measures, and intensified concerns over the stability of energy flows through the Gulf region.
The Fujairah port is one of the UAE’s most important energy facilities because it allows crude oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz through the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, also known as the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline. The corridor has become increasingly important amid ongoing regional maritime tensions and disruptions affecting shipping routes in the Gulf.
According to reports circulating in UAE media, Saudi Arabia allegedly carried out the strike in an effort to disrupt oil exports from Fujairah rather than Iran being responsible, as initially suggested during the immediate aftermath of the incident. The reports marked a significant shift from earlier public assumptions surrounding responsibility for the attack.
UAE authorities previously stated that air defence systems intercepted multiple missiles and drones during the incident on May 4. Emergency response teams and civil defence units were deployed to contain fires at the oil storage facilities and secure the surrounding industrial zone.
Three Indian nationals were reported injured during the attack and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. No fatalities were officially reported.
Iranian officials rejected accusations of involvement and stated that Tehran had not conducted any military operation against the United Arab Emirates in recent days.
In an official statement, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command, which oversees coordination between branches of the Iranian armed forces, said that no Iranian missile or drone strikes had targeted UAE territory. Iranian state broadcasters, citing senior military officials, also stated that there had been no pre-planned programme to attack oil infrastructure in Fujairah.
An unnamed Iranian military official quoted by state media attributed the incident to what was described as “US military adventurism” in the Strait of Hormuz. The official accused American forces of attempting to establish what Iran considers illegal transit passages for vessels operating in restricted waterways and said Washington should be held accountable for the resulting regional instability.
Iranian statements did not provide evidence supporting those claims.
Saudi authorities have not issued any public confirmation or denial regarding the UAE media reports attributing responsibility to Riyadh. The UAE government has also not released an updated formal statement revising its earlier attribution of the incident to Iran.
The attack has added further strain to an already fragile regional environment shaped by maritime confrontations, ceasefire negotiations, and disputes over oil production policy.
The incident occurred during a four-week-old ceasefire period linked to broader regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, Gulf states, and armed groups operating across the Red Sea and Gulf maritime corridors. Naval standoffs between US and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz have continued in recent weeks, while Houthi forces have repeatedly threatened shipping routes connected to Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Fujairah strike was also the second reported attack affecting the port area in recent months. A previous incident on March 14 disrupted oil-loading operations at the facility and raised concerns over the vulnerability of Gulf export infrastructure.
The latest developments have also emerged amid growing differences between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over energy policy and regional strategy. On April 28, the UAE announced its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), highlighting disagreements over production quotas and responses to the ongoing confrontation involving Iran.
Regional analysts have noted that Saudi Arabia has experienced comparatively fewer direct attacks on its own oil infrastructure during the current period of instability, while simultaneously supporting Pakistani-led mediation initiatives aimed at reducing tensions between regional actors.
Global energy markets reacted sharply following the Fujairah incident and uncertainty surrounding responsibility for the strike. Brent crude prices rose by 5.8 percent, increasing by $6.27 to settle at $114.44 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 4.4 percent, climbing by $4.48.
The Fujairah export terminal handles approximately 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, making any disruption to operations significant for global supply chains and shipping markets.
Authorities in the UAE continue to monitor regional airspace and maintain active defence measures around strategic infrastructure as investigations and diplomatic responses continue.
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