Iran strikes UAE — EGA Al Taweelah (world's 5th-largest aluminium plant) sustains significant damage; employees injured
Iran struck the UAE's Khalifa Economic Zone (KEZAD) with cruise missiles, BMs, and drones — hitting Emirates Global Aluminium's Al Taweelah complex (significant damage, multiple injuries) and causing 3 fires and 6 civilian injuries. The IRGC explicitly stated both EGA (UAE) and Alba (Bahrain) were targeted as deliberate retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on two Iranian steel plants (Khuzestan + Mobarakeh). Iran's Dubai claim (US commander hideouts, Ukrainian anti-drone depot) unconfirmed.
Actor responses
Iran fired cruise missiles and UAVs at the UAE in the early hours of Day 29, continuing its sustained Gulf strike campaign targeting states hosting US forces.
No IDF comment on UAE attack. IDF conducting simultaneous overnight strikes on Tehran targets.
UAE hosts Al Dhafra Air Base, a critical US operations hub for the Iran air campaign. US forces on high alert following Day 28 attack on Prince Sultan AB in Saudi Arabia.
UAE confirmed: 5 injured from interception debris at Khalifa Economic Zones. UAE Al Dhafra Air Base — hosting US strike aircraft for the Iran campaign — is located near Abu Dhabi. First confirmed UAE civilian casualties from Iranian attack debris.
Iran Khatam Al-Anbiya (state TV): 'Hideouts of American commanders and soldiers in Dubai were targeted. A Ukrainian anti-drone system depot located in Dubai to assist the US military was targeted and destroyed.' Issued after Zelensky's unannounced visit to UAE and UAE-Ukraine defense cooperation announcement.
Ukraine's Zelensky made an unannounced visit to UAE on Day 29 and signed a defense cooperation agreement. Iran subsequently claimed to have destroyed a 'Ukrainian anti-drone system depot' in Dubai — directly linking the Ukraine-UAE defense deal to the Iranian attack pattern.
Ukraine foreign ministry (Tykhyi): 'This is a lie. We officially refute this information. The Iranian regime frequently carries out such disinformation campaigns.' Ukraine denies Iran's IRGC claim to have destroyed a Ukrainian air defense depot in Dubai.
Iranian attack on KEZAD Abu Dhabi hits Emirates Global Aluminium Al Taweelah — one of the world's largest single-site aluminium smelters. Significant structural damage confirmed. EGA employees injured. Al Taweelah produces ~2.4 million tonnes/year of aluminium; damage threatens global supply chain. Production status not yet confirmed.
Sources