Iran affirmed that “enemy units” were attacked with missiles following a US offensive against an Iranian oil tanker

The Iranian state broadcaster, citing an anonymous military official, reported on Thursday that “enemy units” operating in the Strait of Hormuz area were attacked with Iranian missiles, following an attack by the U.S. military against an Iranian tanker, forcing the units to retreat.

On the other hand, explosions in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island shake the Strait of Hormuz amid cross-accusations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, according to Iranian state media reports. Two high-ranking Iranian officials told The New York Times that Abu Dhabi attacked three targets on Qeshm Island, in what would have been retaliation for the previous Iranian attack against the Emirati city of Fujairah.

According to the Times, the targets hit were the Bahman pier of Qeshm, a shipbuilding facility on the island and an Iranian air force base in Bandar Abbas. The state-run Fars News agency confirmed that the commercial parts of the Bahman pier were hit during “an exchange of fire between the Iranian Armed Forces and the enemy”.

The Mizan agency, citing its own sources, attributed part of the explosions heard in Qeshm to air defense systems that would have shot down several small drones. The semi-official Tasnim agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), specified that two drones were shot down over Bandar Abbas.

We recommend reading: Tasnim also noted that the IRGC had fired warning shots at vessels attempting to cross the strait. Previously, some media had considered the possibility that the detonations were due to the destruction of unexploded ordnance.

Archival aerial view of the Iranian coasts and the port of Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz. December 10, 2023.

The same agency warned that, if Emirati participation is confirmed, “the UAE will pay the price for its hostile action.” The Mehr News agency was more direct and stated without conditions that Abu Dhabi attacked the island’s pier. Iran has not yet issued an official confirmation about the origin of the attacks. Tasnim acknowledged that the attribution to the United Arab Emirates comes from “some sources” and that the matter “has not yet been officially confirmed.” While the ceasefire in the conflict with Iran has been in effect for just over a month, military tensions remain high. US President Donald Trump recently expressed his optimism that an agreement with the Iranian government in Tehran could be reached soon.