Iran strikes UAE oil zone in first breach of ceasefire

The United Arab Emirates confirmed Monday that a fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industries Zone after being struck by a drone launched from Iran. The Fujairah Media Office said civil defense teams responded immediately and are continuing efforts to contain the blaze. The Ministry of Defense announced that four cruise missiles were detected heading toward the country from Iran, with three successfully intercepted over UAE territorial waters and the fourth falling into the sea. Authorities urged the public to rely only on official sources and refrain from spreading rumors. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been confirmed. The attack marks the first such strike since a cease-fire between the United States and Iran took effect in early April. Regional tensions escalated after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Iran subsequently carried out retaliatory attacks against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf region, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments. The U.S. has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway since April 13. A two-week cease-fire was announced April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by direct talks in Islamabad on April 11, though no agreement was reached on a lasting truce. President Donald Trump later extended the cease-fire without setting a new deadline following Pakistan's request. The Interior Ministry issued an alert advising residents to stay in safe places as air defense systems addressed the threat.