UAE under massive drone attack as Iran launches fresh strikes

*World leaders condemn Iran, pledge full solidarity with Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates has come under a large-scale drone and missile assault blamed on Iran, striking key infrastructure and igniting a wave of international condemnation, as fears grow of a broader regional conflict.

Emirati authorities said on Tuesday that multiple drones and projectiles targeted strategic locations, including a major port facility, where explosions triggered fires and disrupted operations.

While air defence systems intercepted several threats, some strikes landed, leaving infrastructure damaged and civilians injured, including foreign nationals.

The escalation has heightened tensions across the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, with concerns mounting over the safety of maritime traffic and energy supplies.

World leaders moved swiftly to denounce the attacks and express support for the UAE. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun declared “full solidarity” with Abu Dhabi, describing the strikes as “an assault on humanitarian values and international law.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for restraint, stressing that “it is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be upheld and respected” to allow space for diplomacy and long-term stability.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as “unacceptable,” particularly after reports that Indian nationals were among those injured, while urging “safe and unimpeded navigation” through the Strait of Hormuz.

From Europe, António Costa pressed Tehran to return to negotiations, warning that sustaining the ceasefire and reopening maritime routes are critical to regional security.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney described the strikes as “unprovoked,” commending the UAE’s defensive response and calling for de-escalation.

The UAE government has labelled the attack a dangerous escalation and signalled its right to respond, even as diplomatic pressure mounts on Iran to halt further aggression.

Security experts warn that the coordinated drone strikes mark a significant intensification of hostilities, raising the risk of direct confrontation between regional powers and threatening global energy markets.

With tensions already high, the latest developments place the Gulf at the centre of a rapidly unfolding geopolitical crisis, as world leaders scramble to prevent a slide into wider conflict.