Fire reported at UAE’s largest oil refinery after a drone strike

A major oil facility in the United Arab Emirates was reportedly targeted in a drone strike attributed to Iran, triggering a fire and forcing a precautionary shutdown of operations at one of the region’s most important refineries.

The facility involved is the ADNOC Ruwais Refinery, located within the Ruwais Industrial Complex in Abu Dhabi. The refinery is operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and is considered the largest refinery in the country.

According to reports, Iranian drones struck the site, prompting authorities to suspend refinery operations as a safety precaution.

Emergency services in Abu Dhabi responded to the incident after a fire broke out at the industrial complex. Firefighters were deployed to contain the blaze while security officials secured the surrounding area.

Officials said that no injuries had been reported as of the latest updates.

Videos circulating on social media showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the facility, though authorities have not yet provided details on the extent of the damage.

Strategic refinery plays a key role in the UAE energy sector

The Ruwais refinery complex is one of the largest oil-processing facilities in the Middle East, capable of refining more than 900,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Its scale and strategic importance make it a critical component of the UAE’s energy infrastructure, processing crude oil for domestic consumption as well as export to global markets.

Any disruption to operations at the facility could have broader implications for regional energy supply, particularly at a time when global oil markets are already facing significant volatility due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

UAE denies claims of retaliatory strike on Iran

Amid reports of the refinery attack, claims surfaced suggesting that the UAE had carried out a retaliatory strike against Iran.

According to those reports, Emirati forces had targeted an Iranian desalination plant in response to drone and missile attacks on UAE territory.

However, officials quickly rejected the allegation.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the claims as “fake news,” stating that the country remains in a defensive posture in response to ongoing Iranian attacks on infrastructure and civilian areas.

Authorities said that Iran has continued launching missile and drone strikes targeting various sites across the UAE.

Iran expands strikes on Gulf energy facilities

The reported attack on the Ruwais refinery is part of a broader pattern of strikes targeting energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.

Iran has already carried out attacks on oil facilities in several Gulf countries following the escalation of conflict after US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28.

On Sunday, Iranian forces also targeted the BAPCO Refinery, the largest oil processing facility in Bahrain.

Bahraini authorities confirmed that the refinery sustained damage during the attack, though details about the extent of the impact have not been fully disclosed.

Attacks follow leadership transition in Iran

The latest wave of strikes occurred shortly after Iranian clerics announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader.

His appointment followed the death of Ali Khamenei during the recent US-Israeli airstrikes.

The leadership transition has coincided with intensified military exchanges across the region.

Iranian president shifts stance after criticism

Before the latest escalation, Masoud Pezeshkian had attempted to reassure neighbouring Gulf countries, apologising for earlier attacks and stating that Iran would avoid targeting them unless their territory was used to launch attacks against Iran.

However, after facing criticism domestically, Pezeshkian later issued a stronger statement reaffirming Iran’s right to defend itself.

He said Iran would continue to strike locations that serve as the “origin and source” of aggressive actions against the country.

Wider Middle East conflict fuels regional instability

The current conflict began on February 28 after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes on Iran, reportedly killing several senior leaders, including Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded with a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military bases and energy infrastructure across the Gulf region.

Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reported attacks on energy or military facilities in recent days.

The expanding list of targets has raised fears that the conflict could evolve into a broader regional war with significant consequences for global energy markets and geopolitical stability.