Iran's Attacks on the UAE: Fujairah in the Crosshairs and the Message of 'Silent Deterrence' from the Deep Sea

People of the Gulf, the atmosphere is tense, and life in the UAE these days is playing out against a backdrop of rapid-fire news, a far cry from the long years of calm and stability we're used to. From Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, everyone is following what happened on Saturday morning at the Fujairah port, where oil loading operations were temporarily halted after a drone attack sparked fires in the industrial area. Sure, air defences intercepted the drone, but it was the falling debris that ignited the blaze, and the scene was shocking for many.

UAE in the Line of Fire: Unprecedented Targeting

What's happening is not just an exchange of distant messages. The UAE, sadly, has become the centre of the equation. Our Minister, Reem Al Hashimy, described the recent Iranian attacks as "unprecedented and somewhat uncontrollable." Those are strong words from a senior official, just like you and me. She said that what we saw from Iran was that it "pounced on those who were calling for de-escalation." The UAE received the highest number of drones and missiles compared to any other Gulf country, and even more than Israel itself. This isn't just talk; we lived through it.

The targeting didn't stop at Fujairah's borders. Days earlier, Thai and Japanese oil tankers were targeted off the coasts of Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. And in a sign of the expanding sphere of fire, the UAE consulate in Erbil was attacked by a drone, which President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, during his calls with world leaders, described as a "dangerous escalation." Notably, all of this happens while Abu Dhabi has been extending a hand for dialogue and diplomacy from the very first moment.

Iranian Warning... and a Clear Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure

In a dangerous and worrying development, Tehran issued a statement asking citizens in the UAE to evacuate ports and harbours, under the pretext that they "could become legitimate targets" because the US uses them. This rhetoric is completely and utterly unacceptable. The UAE is not part of the war, and its land is not a launchpad for missiles against Iran or anyone else, and all its neighbours know this. But unfortunately, Emirati civilian infrastructure is being targeted, not just military bases. Fujairah port, 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: The US bombed the Iranian island of Kharg, the main terminal for Iranian oil exports. Iran's reaction was to target the ports of its neighbours who are not involved in the battle. It's as if the message is: "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 the Omani port of Salalah, describing it as "reprehensible behaviour amounting to war crimes."

Message from the Deep: "The Silent Service" and the Ohio-Class

In the midst of all this uproar, there's something called "silent deterrence." One of the reasons Iran reacted with such blind fury on Gulf states is the harsh blow it received deep inside its territory. I'm talking about the "Midnight Hammer" operation. That day, a silent American submarine of the Ohio-class, believed to be the USS Georgia, launched more than 24 Tomahawk missiles at Iranian facilities in Isfahan even before aircraft had 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, travelling at 25 knots, undetectable. The Ohio-class submarines, converted by the US Navy into guided-missile submarines (SSGN), can carry 154 Tomahawk missiles within them. This doesn't even include their capability 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'd never expect."

• Silent Terror: Ohio-class submarines can strike from a distance exceeding 1,600 kilometres, without any prior warning.
• Deterrence Message: The presence of these submarines in the region means that the response to any Iranian naval escalation (like closing the strait) will be immediate and severe.
• Force Synergy: What happened in "Midnight Hammer" 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 Lives

What worries me and every Emirati is the impact of this escalation on our daily bread. Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy said something that really opens your eyes: "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 practically paralysed traffic in the strait since the beginning of March, and this affects global supply chains, and consequently, prices in our local shops. We are a nation of services and logistics, and 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 communication with brothers and friends, from Jordan to Australia. And you saw how Reem Al Hashimy affirmed that the partnership with America "does not waver in times of crisis; we are not fair-weather friends." That's the kind of talk that reassures you. We don't provoke, and we don't react with madness, but we are not weak. The presence of the Australian "Wedge-tail" aircraft here shows that the international network of 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 today the UAE is proving to be a rock facing 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."