US Strikes Iran's Kharg Island as UAE Oil Terminal Catches Fire

The United States conducted a major military strike on Iran's Kharg Island on Friday, March 13, 2026, with President Donald Trump announcing that American forces had 'totally obliterated every military target' on the strategic island.

U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites, hitting more than 90 targets while deliberately preserving the island's vital oil infrastructure.

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Iranian officials downplayed the extent of the damage, with Fars news agency reporting that despite 'at least 15 explosions' and thick smoke rising from several areas, 'none of the island's oil infrastructure was damaged.'

The strike represents a significant escalation in the two-week conflict that has already rattled global energy markets, with Kharg Island serving as Iran's primary oil export terminal handling approximately 90% of the country's crude shipments.

In response to the Kharg Island strike, Iran escalated its rhetoric and issued direct threats to neighboring countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that locations used by the United States could become 'legitimate targets,' urging civilians to evacuate areas near Dubai's Jebel Ali port, Abu Dhabi's Khalifa port, and Fujairah port.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed the US attacks on Kharg and Abu Musa islands originated from UAE territories, stating they were attacked with 'short-range rocket system' HIMARS.

The Iranian armed forces issued a stark warning that any strike on the country's oil and energy infrastructure would lead to strikes on facilities owned by oil companies cooperating with the United States across the region, escalating the conflict beyond direct military targets to economic infrastructure.

Following Iran's warnings, a drone attack struck the UAE's Fujairah port, causing a significant fire that disrupted operations at the critical oil facility.

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Authorities confirmed that debris from an intercepted Iranian drone fell on the major oil hub, triggering flames and plumes of black smoke.

The Fujairah Media Office reported no injuries from the attack, though industry sources indicated that some oil loading operations were suspended at the port, which serves as one of the largest oil storage centers in the Middle East and a key refueling hub for ships.

The incident occurred hours after Trump's announcement about the Kharg Island strike and underscored the rapid escalation of the conflict's regional spillover effects.

Fujairah, located outside the Strait of Hormuz, handles about 1 million barrels per day of the UAE's Murban crude oil - a volume equal to about 1% of world demand - making it a critical component of global energy infrastructure.

The strikes and counterstrikes have sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with oil prices surging and international shipping routes severely disrupted.

Brent crude climbed above $100 per barrel for the second consecutive day, marking its highest level in more than three years, while US crude futures approached their highest since July 2022.

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The International Energy Agency described the situation as the 'biggest oil supply disruption in history,' with maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz - normally carrying about 20% of the world's oil and gas shipments - effectively halted.

Trump responded to the market turmoil by calling for an international naval coalition, stating that 'many countries' would send warships to keep the strait 'open and safe,' though it remained unclear which nations had committed to joining the effort.

The economic fallout extended beyond energy markets, with increased costs expected for transportation, food prices due to fertilizer shipping disruptions, and international travel as jet fuel prices climb.

The conflict continued to escalate across the broader Middle East region, with Iran launching widespread missile and drone attacks against multiple targets.

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In Iraq, a missile struck a helipad inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, though no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

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Qatar evacuated downtown areas and intercepted two missiles, while Kuwait reported that two drones targeting an airbase housing US military staff wounded Kuwaiti staff and caused damage.

Israeli forces continued their military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where the humanitarian crisis deepened with nearly 800 people killed and 850,000 displaced as of Saturday.

The United States also deployed additional military resources to the region, with American officials confirming that 2,500 more Marines and an amphibious assault ship were being sent to the Middle East.

The Pentagon stated that over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck since the war began - more than 1,000 a day - underscoring the intensity of the ongoing military operations.