Iran claims US launched attacks from UAE as war enters third week

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran on Saturday accused the United States of launching attacks on its territory from the United Arab Emirates, raising tensions across the Gulf as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel entered its third week.

Tehran warned civilians to evacuate areas near major ports in the UAE, including Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, the busiest seaport in the Middle East, and Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. Iranian officials claimed U.S. forces had used “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to stage strikes against Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal.

Iran did not present evidence for the claim but urged residents to avoid areas where it said U.S. military forces might be stationed.

Hours after the warning, there were no immediate reports of attacks on Jebel Ali or Khalifa ports. However, debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility in the port city of Fujairah, igniting a fire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with MS NOW that U.S. strikes on Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island were launched from two locations in the UAE, including Ras Al-Khaimah and another site “very close to Dubai.”

Araghchi described the alleged use of UAE territory as “dangerous,” but said Iran would try to avoid targeting populated areas.

The U.S. Central Command declined to comment on Tehran’s accusations.

A diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash, responded on social media, saying the country has the right to defend itself but continues to prioritize “reason and logic” and is exercising restraint.

Since the war began, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Gulf countries, saying it was targeting U.S. assets in the region. However, some attacks or attempted strikes have reportedly affected civilian infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces had “obliterated” military installations on Kharg Island. He warned that Iran’s oil infrastructure could become the next target if Tehran continues interfering with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker has warned that attacks on the country’s oil infrastructure would trigger a stronger retaliatory response.

Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed only to “those who are attacking us and their allies.”

The growing conflict has fueled global concern about energy markets and maritime security in the Gulf.

Trump called on major powers including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send naval forces to help keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe.”

Britain said it was discussing with allies a “range of options” to secure international shipping routes in the region.

In a separate social media post, Araghchi urged neighboring countries to “expel foreign aggressors” and criticized Trump’s appeal for multinational naval support.

Iran’s joint military command warned Saturday that it could target U.S.-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” across the region if Iranian oil facilities are attacked.

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that the U.S. strikes on Kharg Island caused no damage to oil infrastructure, saying the attacks targeted an air defense site, a naval base, the airport control tower and a helicopter hangar belonging to an offshore oil company.

The U.S. military, however, said its forces destroyed naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers and other military installations.

Israel also announced new airstrikes in Iran, claiming its air force struck more than 200 targets within 24 hours, including missile launchers, air defense systems and weapons production facilities.

Meanwhile, a missile struck a helipad inside the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Saturday. No group immediately claimed responsibility. The massive embassy complex has repeatedly been targeted by rockets and drones from Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.

The U.S. State Department again urged American citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately, preferably by land, noting that Iran and its allied militia groups “may continue to target” U.S. citizens and interests.

The regional conflict has also worsened Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis. Israeli strikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have left more than 800 people dead and displaced around 850,000 residents, according to reports.

A U.S. official said Friday that 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli were being deployed to the Middle East, further expanding the largest American military buildup in the region in decades.

Marine Expeditionary Units are capable of amphibious operations but are also frequently deployed to reinforce embassy security, evacuate civilians and assist in disaster response.

The USS Tripoli was recently spotted by commercial satellites near Taiwan, placing it more than a week away from waters near Iran.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Navy already had 12 vessels in the Arabian Sea, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers.

The U.S. Department of Defense on Saturday identified six service members who died when their military refueling aircraft crashed Thursday while supporting operations linked to the conflict with Iran.

The victims were Maj. John A. Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28.

According to U.S. Central Command, the crash occurred in western Iraq following an unspecified incident involving two aircraft operating in “friendly airspace.” The second aircraft landed safely.