Iran's strikes on the UAE: Fujairah in the firing line and a message of 'silent deterrence' from the deep sea

People of the Gulf, the atmosphere is highly charged. The UAE is living through days of rapid-fire news, a far cry from the long years of calm and stability we've been accustomed to. From Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, everyone is following what happened on Saturday morning at the Port of Fujairah, where oil loading operations were temporarily halted after a drone attack sparked a fire in the industrial area. It's true that air defences intercepted the drone, but it was the falling debris that ignited the blaze, and the scene was shocking for many.

The UAE in the line of fire: Unprecedented targeting

What's happening is more than just distant sabre-rattling. Sadly, the UAE has found itself at the heart of the equation. Our Minister of State, Reem Al Hashimy, described the recent Iranian attacks as "unprecedented and somewhat indiscriminate." Those are strong words from a senior official. She said what we witnessed from Iran was them "turning on those who had been calling for de-escalation." The UAE received the highest number of drones and missiles compared to any other Gulf state, even more than Israel itself. This isn't just talk; we've lived through it.

The targeting didn't stop at Fujairah. Days earlier, Thai and Japanese oil tankers were targeted off the coasts of Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. In a sign of the expanding theatre of conflict, the UAE consulate in Erbil was hit by a drone attack – an act described by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during his calls with world leaders as "a dangerous escalation." What's striking is that all this is happening while Abu Dhabi has been extending a hand for dialogue and diplomacy from the very first moment.

An Iranian warning... and a clear targeting of civilian infrastructure

In a dangerous and worrying development, Tehran issued a statement calling on people in the UAE to evacuate ports and harbours, on the grounds they "might become legitimate targets" because the US uses them. This rhetoric is completely and utterly unacceptable. The UAE is not part of the war, its territory is not a launchpad for missiles against Iran or anyone else, and all its neighbours know this. But sadly, it's Emirati civilian infrastructure that's being targeted, not just military bases. The Port of Fujairah, overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, is a lifeline for the local and global economy; disrupting it means threatening energy security and people's livelihoods.

Look at the difference: America struck Iran's Kharg Island, the main terminal for its oil exports. Iran's reaction was to target the ports of its neighbours who aren't involved in the conflict. The message seems to be: "If our exports are cut off, everyone's exports will be cut off." But this logic will cost them dearly, both regionally and internationally. The Arab League strongly condemned the attack on Oman's Port of Salalah, calling it "reprehensible behaviour amounting to war crimes."

A message from the depths: "The Silent Service" and the Ohio class

Amidst all this uproar, there's something called "silent deterrence." One of the reasons Iran responded with such blind rage towards the Gulf states is the severe blow it suffered at home. I'm referring to the "Midnight Hammer" operation. On that day, a silent American submarine of the Ohio class, believed to be the USS Georgia, launched more than 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iranian facilities in Isfahan before any aircraft had even moved.

These submarines are known as "The Silent Service," and they truly are terror in silence. Imagine something 171 metres long, capable of diving more than 240 metres underwater, cruising at 25 knots, undetectable. The Ohio-class submarines, converted by the US Navy into guided-missile submarines (SSGN), can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles in their payload. Not to mention their capacity to deploy special operations forces. This is the message reaching the masterminds in Tehran: "Any aggression against neighbouring states will be met with a response from a place you least expect."

• Silent terror: Ohio-class submarines can strike from a distance exceeding 1,600 kilometres, without any prior warning.
• A deterrent message: The presence of these submarines in the region means the response to any Iranian maritime escalation (like closing the strait) would be immediate and severe.
• Synergy of forces: What happened in the "Midnight Hammer" operation wasn't just submarines; it was coordination with B-2 bombers that destroyed underground nuclear facilities with bunker-buster bombs.

The Strait of Hormuz and its impact on our daily lives

What worries me, and every Emirati, is the impact this escalation has on our daily bread. Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy said something quite revealing: "The Strait of Hormuz isn't just about oil; it's the route for everything, from cooking oil to petrochemicals and manufactured goods." Iran has effectively paralysed movement in the strait since the beginning of March, and this is affecting global supply chains, and consequently, prices in our local shops. We are a nation of services and logistics; targeting this artery is a direct attack on our economy.

Abu Dhabi is handling the situation with cool heads and wisdom. The leadership is in constant contact with brothers and friends, from Jordan to Australia. And I noticed how Reem Al Hashimy affirmed that the partnership with America "doesn't waver in times of crisis; we don't flinch." That's the kind of talk that reassures you. We don't provoke, and we don't respond with madness, but we are not weak. The presence of the Australian "Wedgetail" aircraft here demonstrates that the network of international relations stands with the UAE to protect its skies.

The bottom line, folks, is that the Gulf is going through a dangerous turning point, and the UAE is proving today that it is a rock standing firm against the storms. The Iranian attacks on Fujairah and our ships will only make us stronger and more united. And from the depths of the sea, the silent "Ohio" submarines are telling Iran: "This Gulf is no place for adventures."