Iran Claims U.S. Strikes Originated from UAE as Conflict Enters Third Week
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has called for the evacuation of the Middle East’s busiest port and two additional ports in the United Arab Emirates, making explicit threats against non-U.S. assets in the region as its conflict with the United States and Israel continues into a third week. Tehran alleges that the U.S. has utilized “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch attacks on Kharg Island, which is critical for Iran’s oil exports, although no evidence has been provided to support this claim.
Iran’s government has urged civilians to vacate areas where U.S. forces are reportedly stationed. Despite these warnings, there were no immediate signs of an attack on Dubai’s Jebel Ali port or the Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi. However, debris from an intercepted Iranian drone caused a fire at the Fujairah port.
Iran Claims U.S. Attacks Originated Near Dubai
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the U.S. launched strikes on Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island from two locations in the UAE, specifically Ras Al-Khaimah and a site “very close to Dubai.” He characterized this situation as dangerous and assured that Iran would aim to avoid targeting populated areas in the vicinity.
U.S. Central Command has not publicly responded to these allegations. Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, emphasized the nation’s right to self-defense while advocating for reason and restraint.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, Iran has reportedly fired hundreds of missiles and drones at neighboring Arab Gulf countries, asserting that its primary targets are U.S. assets. Nonetheless, there have been instances of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including airports and oil fields.
Iran Issues Threats Against U.S.-Linked Oil Assets
On Saturday, Iran’s joint military command reiterated its threat to target U.S.-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” in the region if Iran’s own oil infrastructure is attacked. The semiofficial Fars news agency reported that the strikes on Kharg Island did not damage oil facilities but instead targeted an air defense installation, a naval base, an airport control tower, and a helicopter hangar belonging to an offshore oil company.
U.S. Central Command has confirmed the destruction of naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers in the region. Meanwhile, Israel has announced a new wave of strikes in Iran, claiming to have targeted over 200 sites in the last 24 hours, including missile launchers and weapons production facilities.
Attack on U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
In a related incident, a missile struck a helipad within the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on Saturday. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which is part of a pattern of assaults against one of the largest U.S. diplomatic facilities globally, often attributed to Iran-aligned militias. The State Department has urged U.S. citizens in Iraq to leave immediately, highlighting the potential for continued targeting of American interests.
U.S. Military Reinforcements in the Region
A U.S. official confirmed that 2,500 additional Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli are being deployed to the Middle East. This move is part of the largest military buildup in the region in decades. Marine Expeditionary Units are trained for various operations, including securing embassies and providing disaster relief.
The USS Tripoli was recently observed near Taiwan, indicating it is over a week away from reaching waters near Iran. Earlier in the week, the U.S. Navy had a significant presence in the Arabian Sea, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers.
As reported by www.pbs.org.
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Published on 2026-03-15 01:24:00 • By Editorial Desk
