Tensions in the Middle East intensified on Wednesday after the United States said it had destroyed 16 Iranian vessels allegedly preparing to deploy naval mines near the vital Strait of Hormuz, while a separate drone incident near Dubai International Airport left four people injured.
According to the US military’s Central Command, the vessels were struck during ongoing operations aimed at preventing Iran from mining the narrow maritime passage.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, handling nearly a fifth of global oil shipments. Washington had previously warned that any Iranian attempt to block or mine the waterway would trigger a strong military response, a stance reinforced by US president Donald Trump.
US officials released video footage showing multiple Iranian naval boats exploding after being hit by precision strikes. American defense authorities say weakening Iran’s naval capacity is a central objective of the current campaign designed to secure the Gulf’s shipping lanes.
Drone crash near Dubai airport injures four
In a separate development, authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported that two drones crashed near Dubai International Airport, injuring four foreign nationals. Officials confirmed that one Indian citizen suffered moderate injuries, while two citizens from Ghana and one Bangladeshi national sustained minor wounds.
Airport officials said flight operations continued normally despite the incident. Witnesses described a brief moment of concern inside the terminal, as passengers were asked to step away from large glass windows and move to safer areas after the drones landed nearby.
Rising maritime security concerns in the Gulf
Maritime security has also deteriorated across the Gulf region. Britain’s maritime monitoring agency reported that at least three commercial vessels were struck by unidentified projectiles in nearby waters.
One cargo vessel caught fire after being hit north of Oman, forcing crew members to abandon the ship, while another container vessel near the UAE coast sustained damage but managed to remain afloat.
Authorities are now investigating the attacks and advising commercial ships to take extra precautions when navigating through the region.
Iran expands missile and drone attacks
Iran has meanwhile expanded its military operations across the region. Iranian state media reported new waves of missile and drone launches targeting US military facilities in Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, along with strikes directed at military sites in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Saudi authorities said several ballistic missiles and drones were intercepted before reaching a military air base and a major oil installation. Warning sirens also sounded in Bahrain, where the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is located.
Israeli strikes expand into Lebanon
Amid the broader escalation, Israel launched additional airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting what it described as command centers and weapons storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah. The strikes hit areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut as well as the coastal city of Tyre.
Lebanese health authorities reported casualties in several affected areas, although the exact number has not yet been confirmed.
The rapidly widening confrontation involving Iran, the United States, Israel and other regional actors has raised concerns about potential disruption to global oil markets and international shipping routes, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
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