Drone attacks struck some of the United Arab Emirates’ most critical transport and energy sites on Monday, disrupting flights at Dubai’s international airport and igniting fires at the major oil storage hub of Fujairah, in a further escalation of Iran’s campaign against Gulf infrastructure.

Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended after what authorities described as a drone related incident sparked a fire near the airfield. The airport, the world’s busiest for international passengers, has now been affected three times since the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran began.

Some flights were delayed while others were cancelled, dealing another blow to the UAE’s carefully cultivated image as a safe and stable regional hub for travel and commerce.

The strikes extended beyond aviation. A drone attack also triggered a large fire at the port and industrial zone in Fujairah, home to one of the biggest oil storage facilities in the Middle East and a critical point in global energy logistics.

Oil loading operations at the port were briefly halted as authorities assessed the damage.

The UAE defence ministry said its air defence systems intercepted six ballistic missiles and twenty one drones on Monday. Since the start of the war, Iran has launched more than 1,900 missiles and drones toward the UAE, according to the ministry.

Violence also reached the outskirts of the capital. A rocket strike destroyed a vehicle in the Al Bahia area of Abu Dhabi, killing a Palestinian national, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

The attack on Fujairah carries particular strategic significance. Located on the UAE’s eastern coastline along the Gulf of Oman, the port allows oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that handles a large share of global crude shipments.

According to BBC, Dubai based Justin Harper, editor of CEO Middle East, said the location gives the UAE a crucial alternative export route if tensions disrupt traffic through the Strait.

“If tensions with Iran disrupt the chokepoint, the UAE can still export oil through Fujairah via pipelines from the oilfields in Abu Dhabi,” Harper said.

Energy analysts say the attacks underscore how exposed Gulf energy infrastructure remains during regional conflict.

Speaking to BBC, Matt Stanley, a Dubai based oil analyst at commodities data firm Kpler, said the strikes appeared aimed at interfering with the global flow of oil.

“Iran hitting a storage tanker and oil facilities at Fujairah shows the vulnerability of Gulf infrastructure,” Stanley said. “Iran wants to disrupt the flow of energy.”

Fujairah’s location has made it increasingly important in global shipping networks. The port lies outside the Persian Gulf, meaning vessels do not need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to reach it. That has turned the facility into a major hub for oil storage and refuelling ships travelling between the Middle East and Asian markets.

Stanley said the port has become a vital stop for tankers and container vessels travelling toward India, Singapore and China.

“It is one of the first stops out of the Middle East on the route to Asia,” he said.

Despite the attacks, analysts say business activity in Dubai has so far remained resilient.

Harper said the city’s commercial sector has moved quickly to maintain confidence.

Restaurants have been offering promotions to attract customers while shopping centres remain busy, he said.

“People underestimate Dubai and its ability to survive a downturn,” Harper said.

The latest strikes highlight how the widening conflict is beginning to reach beyond battlefields, placing critical energy and transport networks across the Gulf under increasing pressure. (BusinessDay)