Iran attacks UAE and vessels as US disables two tankers
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 8
Iran attacks UAE and vessels as US disables two tankers
20 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 8
On Friday, Iran wounded three people in the UAE, while a US F/A-18 disabled two Iranian tankers trying to breach a blockade and Tehran seized a vessel.
A day earlier, Iran attacked three US warships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, drones and speedboats, prompting US strikes on targets on Qeshm Island and at Bandar Abbas.
The clashes deepen doubts over an April 7 ceasefire tied to reopening Hormuz, as tanker traffic has fallen and Washington says Tehran keeps testing US resolve.
Will Iran succeed in rewriting international law by controlling a vital global waterway?
How is a secret Israeli-UAE military pact reshaping the Middle East's balance of power?
Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz: Iranian Attacks on UAE and Maritime Security Threats in May 2026
Overview
In early May 2026, Iran launched a series of coordinated attacks targeting the UAE's Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base. These assaults broke the fragile ceasefire with the US, triggering a sharp rise in global fuel prices and widespread regional alarm. The UAE's advanced air defenses intercepted most threats, but some strikes caused fires and injuries, leading to emergency measures including a week-long airspace closure. In response, Gulf states united in support of the UAE, the US increased naval patrols, and the UN condemned Iran's actions. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts by Oman and Pakistan sought to ease tensions amid fears of further escalation.