PM Modi has condemned the recent attacks on the UAE and called for the “safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” He was reacting to the recent missile and drone strike carried out by Iran on the Emirates on Tuesday, one of which struck the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone where three Indian nationals had been injured. “Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable,” the prime minister wrote on X.
“India stands in firm solidarity with the UAE and reiterates its support for the peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy. Ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for enduring regional peace, stability, and global energy security.”
Iran has so far denied that it had targeted the UAE, with Iranian state media quoting a senior military official stating that Tehran had no plans to target the Emirates. Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abas Aragchi issued a warning to the Emirates with his latest tweet. Writing on X, he said that the “events in Hormuz make clear that there's no military solution to a political crisis.” As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by illwishers. So should the UAE.”
While Iran may be denying this latest attack, there is no doubt that the Emirates has been the focus of Iranian attacks in this war. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said that its air defences had “engaged” 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones launched from Iran over the course of the day on Monday.Overall, statistics valid till April 9 show that the UAE had to deal with 537 ballistic missiles, 2,256 drone attacks, and 26 cruise missiles fired from Iran, a figure much higher than those faced by its Gulf neighbours.
West Asia expert Talmiz Ahmad states. “This is a response to Operation Project Freedom, where the US has said that they will “guide” ships through the Strait. The Iranians are conveying a clear message here through the strike. They are saying any solution regarding the Strait of Hormuz has to involve dialogue with Iran, and they are also making it very clear to the UAE that the Israeli Dome gifted to it by Israel will not work. It is a warning.”
Asked as to why Fujairah in particular has been targeted, Ambassador Ahmad points out that Fujairah is crucial for global shipping. “The importance of Fujairah is that Fujairah has one of the largest oil tank storage facilities in the world. It therefore becomes one of the largest stations for ships to pick up oil for their operations,” says Ahmad
The other point is that Fujairah’s location outside the Strait of Hormuz makes it a key lifeline for global energy. The UAE has constructed the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) which links Abu Dhabi’s crude oil pipelines to Fujairah. As a result, an estimated 1.6 to 1.9 million barrels per day have been exported throughout the war. This explains why there was strong global reaction to the Iranian attack on Fujairah and why India felt it necessary to join in. Asked how he viewed the statement by the prime minister, Ambassador Ahmad said. “India had to issue a strong statement given that three of its nationals were injured at Fujairah. We also wanted to make clear our solidarity with the UAE which has felt that the world has not significantly condemned the Iran attacks on it strongly enough.”
