US attacks Iran’s ‘orphan pearl’ as UAE terminals go up in flames


2 minutes of readingNew DelhiUpdated: Mar 14, 2026 10:32 pm IST

Hours after the United States attacked Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital oil hub, on Saturday, fires were reported in the coastal city of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to major oil export terminals.

Images of thick black smoke billowing from an oil facility in the port city circulated online. The development comes after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) responded to the US attack, saying Washington’s interests in the United Arab Emirates were legitimate targets.

Following the incident, some oil loading operations at the site were suspended. The fire reportedly broke out due to the remains of an intercepted drone.

Since the war began on February 28, the United States (and its allies) and Iran have been attacking each other’s strategic facilities in West Asia, including ports, airports, oil refineries and military sites.

Iran has effectively blocked trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world’s energy transits. The blockade has caused global oil prices to rise and is seen as a strategy by Tehran to put pressure on Washington’s regional allies to persuade the White House to end the confrontation, which has so far claimed more than 2,000 lives.

Iran threatened to attack more ports in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, including Jebel Ali port in Dubai, Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, according to Iranian news agencies.

Fujairah is the outlet for around 1 million barrels per day of Murban crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, a volume equivalent to about 1 percent of global demand, news agency. Reuters reported.

Story continues below this ad.

On the other hand, Kharg, known as the “orphan pearl of the Persian Gulf,” is home to facilities that process 90 percent of Iran’s total oil exports: approximately 950 million barrels each year.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said that US forces had “totally destroyed” Tehran’s military infrastructure on the island, and warned that its oil facilities would also be attacked if Iran decided to “interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait.”

The Indian Express’ Express Global Desk offers authoritative, fact-checked and context-based coverage of key international developments shaping global migration politics, policies and trends. The section focuses on stories with direct relevance to Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explanations and analysis. A major focus area of ​​the desk is U.S. visa and immigration policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely follows Canada’s immigration, visa and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residency programs and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All Global Desk reports conform to The Indian Express editorial standards and are based on official data, government notifications, court documents and proprietary sources. The desktop prioritizes clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep experience in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar, Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats: Deputy editor specializing in American politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-based international coverage. Mashkoora Khan: Deputy editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on policy coverage related to Canada studies, immigration and visas. … Read more

Stay up to date with the latest – click here to follow us on Instagram

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd


Add Comment