The key port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates has suspended oil loadings, according to Bloomberg News. Fujairah, a crucial outlet for over 1 million barrels per day of Murban crude, has come under a series of attacks.
A fire erupted in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone after a drone strike, with no reported injuries. Civil defence teams are working to control the blaze.
Fujairah is a vital centre for crude oil and refined fuels, and its importance has grown due to its location outside the Strait of Hormuz, which has been almost fully closed due to the war.
The United States is pushing Gulf states to take part in the war against Iran, with President Donald Trump seeking to demonstrate regional support for the operation.
Iran has continued to strike energy facilities across the Persian Gulf, disrupting commercial flights and targeting energy sites. This has added economic strain on the oil-rich United Arab Emirates.
Daily oil exports from the Middle Eastern Gulf have fallen by at least 60% in the week ending March 15, with crude oil prices reaching the highest level in four years.
