Today, 8:19 PM
Iran has stated it had “no plans” to target the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as reported by Iranian state television, following accusations from the UAE regarding new missile attacks. A senior Iranian military official reiterated, “Iran had no plans to target the UAE.”
Recent reports from Western outlets indicated that Iran had launched strikes on a vital UAE oil port and several vessels, potentially undermining a fragile cease-fire. The UAE, which has advocated for a firmer stance against Iran, claimed it was hit by missiles and drones, confirming that a drone attack caused a fire at the key oil hub of Fujairah. This facility plays a critical role in the UAE’s crude exports amidst Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE foreign ministry stated, “We reserve the right to a full and legitimate response to these attacks.”
According to the Wall Street Journal and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, Iran has fired cruise missiles and other projectiles at U.S. warships and commercial shipping as the U.S. mobilizes efforts to facilitate maritime traffic through the strait. Additional U.S. naval vessels are currently en route to aid in the transit of ships after U.S. military forces successfully guided two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels through the vital waterway. President Trump has issued warnings to Iran against further attacks on U.S. vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the United States has downed “seven small” Iranian boats following Tehran's attacks on several ships in the strait. He noted that, aside from minor damage to a South Korean vessel, there had been “no damage” from Tehran’s strikes.
Iran has also reportedly targeted unrelated nations regarding maritime activities under the operation named PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean cargo ship. Trump suggested it might be time for South Korea to join in the mission, asserting, “We’ve shot down seven small boats, or as they prefer to call them, ‘fast’ boats. That’s all they have left. Beyond the South Korean ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage passed through the Strait.”
Earlier, Admiral Cooper indicated that U.S. military forces had “destroyed” six small Iranian boats in the strait. According to a statement from Centcom, PROJECT FREEDOM aims to “support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit” the Strait of Hormuz, although it does not include formal military escorts. Centcom’s Sunday statement detailed that the initiative comprises “guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.”
Iran had ‘no plans to target’ UAE, state TV says as Trump says US has shot down 7 small Iranian ships in strait of Hormuz
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