Amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company ADNOC, has publicly denied Iran’s claim of control over the strategic waterway. In a post on social media platform X, he stated that Iran has never had the right to close or restrict navigation through the strait.

Al Jaber warned that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could severely threaten global energy supplies as well as food and health security. He described such a scenario as a dangerous and unacceptable precedent that would endanger global stability.

He emphasized that the world cannot bear such a burden and should not allow any attempt to restrict free passage through this vital maritime route.

UAE-based airline Air Arabia has resumed limited international flight operations from the United Arab Emirates after disruptions caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East. The airline announced on Saturday that it is gradually restarting services from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to 49 destinations across 17 countries, subject to regulatory approval.

According to Air Arabia’s official statement, the decision was made to align with the evolving situation in the region. The destinations include countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Bangladesh among those listed. The airline emphasized that passengers whose flights were previously canceled can rebook their tickets, provided they have not already opted for a date change or refund.

Air Arabia stated that affected passengers will be contacted directly regarding rebooking procedures, as part of its phased plan to restore international operations following the earlier disruptions.

Keir Starmer has arrived in the United Arab Emirates to hold further discussions on the ongoing Iran war situation. His visit comes amid uncertainty over whether the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will hold. During his stay, Starmer is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Earlier, Starmer visited Jeddah, where he met with Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, Iran has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement through its attacks in Lebanon, calling them a serious breach. The developments highlight the fragile state of the truce and the growing regional strain.

The outcome of Starmer’s meetings in the UAE may influence diplomatic efforts to sustain the ceasefire and reduce tensions in the region, though the stability of the agreement remains uncertain.

The United Arab Emirates Cabinet has officially approved a six-day public holiday for Eid al-Adha this year, according to Khaleej Times. The decision is based on the expected lunar calendar dates for the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, which may begin on May 18. The main Hajj rituals are expected to take place on May 26, followed by Eid al-Adha on May 27.

Under the approved schedule, UAE residents will have holidays on May 26 for the Hajj day, and from May 27 to 29 for Eid al-Adha. With the regular weekend on May 30 and 31, the total public holiday period will extend from May 26 to May 31, giving citizens and residents six consecutive days off.

The announcement aligns with the country’s practice of determining Islamic holidays based on moon sightings and provides clarity for travel and family planning during the festive period.

Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are facing severe hardship as regional conflict and economic stagnation disrupt their livelihoods. The report describes widespread fear of drone and missile attacks, coupled with a sharp decline in income as schools and tourism sectors have stalled. Taxi drivers have seen earnings fall by about 70 percent, while many cleaners and construction workers have lost their jobs. Rising food and housing costs have pushed many into crisis, and several expatriates have been detained for unknowingly sharing war-related videos online.

Information technology specialist Mohammad Minhaj Uddin and Dubai-based worker Mohammad Zahed Ullah told the newspaper that many Bangladeshis are living in uncertainty and fear, with some killed or injured in recent attacks. They said diplomatic support from Bangladesh remains limited, while supply chain disruptions through the Hormuz Strait have driven up prices of essentials and fuel. Companies are cutting costs and delaying salaries, forcing many workers to consider returning home.

According to official data, the UAE hosts 1–1.2 million Bangladeshi workers, contributing 15–18 percent of Bangladesh’s total remittance. Prolonged instability could significantly affect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Iran launched an attack targeting Abu Dhabi’s Borouge petrochemical plant, according to local authorities on April 5, 2026. Officials reported that debris from a missile or drone, intercepted by the Emirati air defense system, fell onto the facility and caused a fire. Firefighting teams and multiple agencies are working to bring the blaze under control.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office stated that operations at the plant have been immediately suspended until damage assessments are completed. No casualties have been reported so far. Gulf News added that several fires broke out at the site as a result of falling debris after the successful interception of aerial threats.

Earlier that morning, the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority confirmed that its air defense system had countered a missile threat originating from Iran. Authorities urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for real-time updates.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed a total of 69 missiles and drones during the latest wave of attacks launched by Iran. The report, published on Friday, cited Al Jazeera as the source of the information.

According to official data, the UAE’s defense forces have been actively responding to repeated aerial assaults since the conflict began. The ministry’s statement indicates that Iran continues to carry out large-scale missile and drone strikes, suggesting an ongoing escalation in hostilities between the two sides.

The figures released by the UAE highlight the intensity of the current confrontation and the continued reliance on advanced air defense systems to counter aerial threats in the region.

A fire broke out at the Habshan Gas Complex, one of the United Arab Emirates’ major gas processing centers, after debris from an intercepted missile or drone fell on the site. The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed the incident and stated that all operations at the gas field have been temporarily suspended to bring the situation under control. No casualties have been reported so far.

According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, authorities have taken swift measures to ensure safety and prevent further damage. The fire response teams are working to contain the blaze and assess the extent of the impact. The cause of the incident was linked to debris from an aerial object that was intercepted before reaching its target.

The temporary shutdown of the Habshan facility underscores the region’s vulnerability to aerial threats and the importance of rapid emergency response in protecting critical energy infrastructure.

A Bangladeshi expatriate from Cumilla’s Brahmanpara upazila was killed in a missile strike in Dubai’s Fujairah Dibba area on Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026. The attack occurred amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East. The victim, identified as Shah Alam Bhuiya, 50, was the second son of Hanif Bhuiya from Jiruin village under Sahebabad Union. According to sources among expatriates in Dubai and the victim’s family, the missile struck while he was on his way to work.

Witnesses reported that sirens sounded in the area as people ran for cover before the missile hit. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the expatriate Bangladeshi community in Dubai and among residents of Shah Alam’s home village in Brahmanpara, Cumilla.

Local reports described widespread mourning in the victim’s village following news of his death, as relatives and neighbors expressed shock over the tragedy.

A Bangladeshi national was killed in the United Arab Emirates after debris from a downed drone struck him. The Fujairah emirate authorities confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. According to the government’s media office, the UAE’s air defense system successfully intercepted a drone within its airspace, and the wreckage fell on a farm in the Al-Riffa area, causing the fatality.

Rescue teams and relevant authorities are currently at the site, monitoring the situation and working to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. The report was carried by Gulf News and confirmed by Fujairah’s government media office.

The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of drone and missile attacks linked to ongoing conflicts affecting oil supply and regional security.

A Bangladeshi national was killed in a drone-related incident in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, according to the country’s official media office. Gulf News reported that a drone was shot down in the area, and debris from the destroyed aircraft struck the Bangladeshi worker, who was employed at a farm in Fujairah’s Al Riffa area. The incident occurred as authorities were monitoring the situation on site.

The UAE has not yet released the victim’s name or further personal details. Officials stated that security forces are working to ensure safety in the surrounding areas and are closely observing developments. They urged the public to rely solely on official sources for information and warned that spreading unverified reports could cause unnecessary panic.

Authorities continue to assess the situation in Fujairah, emphasizing the importance of accurate information dissemination during such security incidents.

Officials from the United Arab Emirates said the country is preparing to assist the United States and allied nations in using force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. If carried out, this would make the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to become directly involved in the ongoing war with Iran. Emirati officials have begun efforts to persuade the United States and other partners to remove Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway by any means necessary.

According to the officials, the UAE is working to pass a resolution at the United Nations Security Council authorizing such action. Emirati diplomats have also called on the United States and military powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to forcibly reopen the strait. A UAE official stated that Iran’s leadership believes it is fighting for survival and is willing to drag the global economy down by tightening control over the strait.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran has launched extensive attacks on U.S. infrastructure located in the UAE. The Emirati foreign ministry did not deny the report, emphasizing instead that there is broad global consensus on maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

A Kuwaiti oil tanker named Al-Salmi caught fire after a drone attack near Dubai’s outer anchorage on Monday, according to local authorities who blamed Iran for the strike. The vessel, owned by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), suffered structural damage, and officials warned of possible oil leakage into the sea. Firefighting teams managed to control the blaze after several hours, and all 24 crew members were reported safe with no casualties.

The incident occurred just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States could destroy its power plants and oil wells if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed. The Guardian reported that since February 28, commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have faced repeated attacks following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The Al-Salmi attack marks the latest escalation in the ongoing regional conflict that has disrupted oil supplies and strained the global economy.

KPC said damage assessment is underway while monitoring continues. Crude oil prices briefly rose after the attack before stabilizing later in the day.

A Kuwaiti crude oil tanker anchored at Dubai port caught fire following an Iranian attack, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred while the vessel was moored in the port area of the United Arab Emirates. No casualties were reported in the attack.

Kuwait’s state-owned oil company, cited by the official KUNA news agency, stated that the large crude carrier was deliberately targeted by Iran. The report was also confirmed by AFP from Kuwait City. In response, Kuwait’s military announced on social media platform X that it had activated its air defense systems to counter hostile missile and drone attacks.

The reports did not specify the extent of the damage or whether operations at Dubai port were affected by the incident.

Iran has claimed responsibility for drone attacks targeting US military radar stations located in the United Arab Emirates. According to a statement from the Iranian army, the strikes were carried out from last night until this morning local time. The radar stations reportedly serve to detect and intercept missiles and military drones. Iran also stated that its drones struck various other US military positions within the UAE.

Earlier on Friday, Iran had also claimed responsibility for an attack on a US military installation in Saudi Arabia, asserting that a US aircraft was destroyed at the Prince Sultan base. These developments come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with multiple incidents involving US and Iranian-linked forces reported in recent days.

The series of attacks underscores growing regional instability and signals potential escalation between Iran and US forces stationed in Gulf countries, though independent verification of the claims was not mentioned in the report.