Dubai–Abu Dhabi LIVE: Container ship hit by ‘unknown projectile’ near UAE coast, UK agency says

United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems were continuing to intercept missiles and drones launched from Iran, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence, as regional tensions escalated.

In Iraq, a drone struck the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a major US diplomatic facility. Iran has responded to strikes by the United States and Israel on its territory by launching waves of missiles and drones at Gulf countries including the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, damaging infrastructure and disrupting oil production.

UAE shuts major refinery after drone strike

One of the world’s largest refineries in the UAE has been shut as a precaution following a nearby drone attack, a source told Agence France-Presse.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said a drone strike triggered a fire in Ruwais Industrial City in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

“The Ruwais refinery has halted operations out of precaution,” the source said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

State-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company says its Ruwais facility is “the world’s fourth-largest single-site refinery.”

Meanwhile, Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco warned the conflict could have serious consequences for global oil supplies.

UAE says it has six-month stockpile of essentials

The UAE also confirmed it holds a six-month strategic reserve of essential goods as the conflict in West Asia continues.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism said it had stepped up monitoring of retail outlets nationwide to ensure prices remain stable and that goods remain sufficiently stocked.

It added that additional supplies of commodities that had seen price increases have already been dispatched to markets in large quantities to maintain steady availability.