Iran on Saturday threatened to attack the infrastructure of the neighboring country, the United Arab Emirates, urging its people to evacuate three major ports that Tehran claims are now “legitimate targets” since they were used by the U.S. to attack Iran.
Iran’s official judiciary news agency, Mizan, reported without evidence that U.S. troops had been situated in the civilian ports of Jebel Ali, Khalifa, and Fujairah in the UAE.
The news agency advised people in and around those ports to evacuate immediately, stating that the facilities “may be targeted in the coming hours.” The caution was issued after U.S. President Donald Trump invited fellow countries to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
In a Truth Social post, the president wrote, “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area.”
In the same post, Trump stated that “many countries will be sending warships” to help the U.S. keep the Strait “open and safe,” without providing any details.
Trump doubled down later in the day, demanding in a post on Truth Social that countries that depended on the Strait of Hormuz for their energy supply assist in the U.S. and Israeli military operations in the region.
Trump wrote, “The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!” The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well.”
He added: “This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be.”
The Associated Press reported that subsequently, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, took to social media to mock Trump’s repeated calls for help, describing the president as “begging.”
Trump announced on Friday that he had instructed the U.S. Central Command to conduct a bomb raid, striking military installations on the Kharg Island of Iran in the first strike in its history.
He wrote in a Truth Social post, “Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”
Trump said he had “chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.”
Trump wrote, “However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”
Less than an hour later, the president again posted on Truth, adding, “Iran had plans of taking over the entire Middle East, and completely obliterating Israel. JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command released a video of attacks on the navy mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and other military sites on early Saturday.
CENTCOM stated in the post, “U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure.”
Trump told reporters on Friday, before boarding Air Force One, flying to Florida, that his military campaign will last “as long as necessary.” When asked by reporters how long the war will last, he said: “I can’t tell you that. I mean, I have my own idea.” He added: “I won’t give you a time, but we are way ahead of schedule.”
He was also said by reporters what he meant by “unconditional surrender,” and responded: “To me it means very simply that we are in a position of dominance that nobody has seen before, whether or not they’re able to say the words … .”
Furthermore, in an early Saturday Truth Social post, Trump said: “The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal – But not a deal that I would accept!”
Analysts have indicated that the possibility of a U.S. action to take over Kharg Island, a strategic hub commonly known as the Iranian “oil lifeline,” is deemed to be very risky, both in a geopolitical and economic perspective.
The five-mile-long coral island that is approximately 15 miles out of the mainland of Iran within the waters of the northern Persian Gulf had remained undamaged due to close to two weeks of U.S. and Israeli-led strikes against Iran.
The Trump administration has discussed seizing the island, according to an Axios report on March 7, based on four anonymous sources who had knowledge of the discussions.
White House officials have already indicated that they anticipate oil prices to drop by a significant margin once Operation Epic Fury ceases, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the president simply makes a wise decision to keep everything on the table.
Kharg Island has been dragged into the international limelight since it is considered to be one of the most sensitive economic targets in Iran. The terminal accounts for approximately 90 percent of the country’s crude exports, with a loading capacity of around 7 million barrels per day.
According to analysts, any attack or seizure would entail a ground troop operation, which the U.S. seems unwilling to pursue. An attack would also very likely lead to a long-term surge in already skyrocketing oil prices.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has already denied the possibility of the U.S. deploying its ground troops to Iran but warned the U.S. would not be stuck in the country.
Brent crude oil futures were trading above $100 per barrel on Friday, the second day in a row, and the global oil benchmark has soared over 40 percent since the war in Iran started.
