Iran Strikes UAE Port, US Claims Strait of Hormuz Success as Putin Raises Israel Nukes

Iran has struck the UAE's Fujairah oil port, the endpoint of the ADCOP pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, causing a large fire and three injuries. The UAE reported intercepting 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones. Iran also delineated a new control zone in the Strait of Hormuz, including Omani territorial waters and the port of Fujairah. The US claimed its Project Freedom successfully guided the Maersk US-flagged vessel Alliance Fairfax through the strait, and President Trump said US forces destroyed seven Iranian fast boats. Iran disputed this, with Tasnim reporting two civilian cargo vessels hit, killing five. The US Navy directed ships to transit via Omani waters, raising questions about Oman's stance. Putin called for a WMD-free zone in the Middle East, implicitly challenging Israel's nuclear program. Iraq's SOMO offered steep discounts on Basrah Medium crude, but tankers cannot load due to the blockade. Brent crude passed $115 a barrel. Analysts warn of imminent large-scale US airstrikes, with KC-135s moving over the Arabian Peninsula and the USS George H.W. Bush carrier group in the Arabian Sea. Iran threatens preemptive strikes and has hinted at a hypersonic missile with 3000 km range. Economic fears mount as oil price surges signal recession risk.