REUTERS: Some oil-loading operations were suspended at the UAE’s major energy hub in Fujairah after a drone attack caused a fire in the oil industry zone on March 14, 2026. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Earlier the same day, U.S. forces attacked military targets at Iran’s Kharg Island oil export terminal. Following the strike, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that U.S. interests in the UAE — including ports, docks and military facilities — could be considered legitimate targets.
The fire in Fujairah reportedly started after debris fell during the interception of a drone by air defence systems. Civil defence teams moved to control the blaze, and no injuries were reported. Fujairah is a critical global energy hub located outside the Strait of Hormuz. It serves as an export outlet for around 1 million barrels per day of Murban crude oil produced by the UAE, roughly 1% of global oil demand.
The incident highlights growing pressure on regional energy infrastructure as the conflict continues. Earlier in the week, the International Energy Agency warned that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could trigger one of the largest oil supply crises in history.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the full impact of the incident on oil shipments, and the UAE’s national oil company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has not issued an official comment.
