Iran has warned it could retaliate against United States-linked locations in the United Arab Emirates after American forces reportedly struck more than 90 military targets on Kharg Island.
According to reports, the strikes targeted key Iranian military installations on the island, which serves as the main export hub for the country’s crude oil.
The United States Central Command said the operation destroyed facilities including naval mine storage areas and missile bunkers.
Donald Trump said several countries could deploy naval forces to the region to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s fossil fuel supply.
Iranian officials responded by warning that areas hosting American assets in the UAE could become legitimate targets if attacks on Iran continue.
A spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Iran reserves the right to defend its sovereignty by targeting locations used to launch strikes against its territory.
The conflict has reportedly entered its third week, with more than 2,000 people said to have died, mostly in Iran.
The fighting has also disrupted global oil supply chains, causing sharp increases in oil prices and halting maritime traffic in parts of the Gulf region.
Energy operations in the emirate of Fujairah were also affected after a drone attack caused disruption at one of the region’s major bunkering and crude export terminals.
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership signaled that it may escalate its response if attacks on its energy infrastructure continue, while Gulf officials warned that expanding the conflict could further destabilise the region and global energy markets.
