Iran has launched a drone attack on the Shah natural gas field—a major facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—setting it ablaze. (Image X @DB_WTI)
Dubai: Iran has launched a drone attack on the Shah natural gas field—a major facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—setting it ablaze. The attack targeted this field, situated near the Saudi Arabian border, which is jointly operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the American firm Occidental Petroleum. The UAE government has confirmed that operations at the facility were completely suspended following the attack, although there have been no reports of casualties thus far.
This incident occurred on the 18th day of the ongoing conflict between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran, during which Iran has been launching relentless attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf nations. Just one day prior to this attack, Iran targeted fuel tanks at Dubai International Airport; the incident shrouded the city in black smoke and necessitated a temporary suspension of flight operations. By Tuesday morning, UAE airspace had returned to normal operations, though it had remained closed throughout the night due to a barrage of drone and missile attacks.
It is reported that the conflict has claimed the lives of over 4,000 people across the Middle East to date. Approximately 3,100 deaths have been recorded in Iran, 850 in Lebanon, while dozens of fatalities have occurred in the Gulf nations and Israel. Additionally, 13 American soldiers have lost their lives so far. Iran has shown no interest in ceasefire negotiations and continues to launch drone and missile attacks against Arab nations in the Persian Gulf region, as well as against Israel. Conversely, the United States and Israel are conducting daily strikes on Iranian targets, including sites within Tehran. Meanwhile, Israel is intensifying a parallel military campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
On another front, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for one-fifth of the world's oil supply—has severely disrupted global oil and LNG supplies. While Brent crude oil prices have stabilized at approximately $104 per barrel, they have surged by as much as 40% since the outbreak of the conflict. The average price of gasoline in the United States has reached $3.70 per gallon. Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait have been compelled to cut production, while Qatar has halted its LNG production.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his appeal to allied nations, Europe, and China to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that several countries have informed him that they are moving forward in this direction. He noted that while some are very enthusiastic, others are not. He has requested naval assistance from China and has asked to postpone the proposed summit with Xi Jinping. Trump mentioned that he has asked several nations to dispatch warships, though none have publicly agreed to do so.
During this time, taking aim at NATO, Trump remarked that the U.S. has expended "tens of billions of dollars" on security, yet is currently receiving no cooperation. He has also threatened to target Iranian oil infrastructure located on Kharg Island. When asked about the potential end of the conflict, Trump replied, "I don't think so—but it will happen soon."
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