Kuwaiti Tanker Attacked by Iranian Drone, Beware of Oil Spill

An Iranian attack has triggered a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (31/03/2026). State media reported that the attack occurred as Tehran continues its campaign in the Gulf in response to strikes by the United States (US) and Israel.

The KUNA news agency reported that the giant Kuwaiti crude oil tanker became the target of a direct attack while in the anchorage area.

“The giant Kuwaiti crude oil tanker became the target of a direct and dangerous Iranian attack while in the anchorage area at Dubai Port in the UAE,” KUNA reported, citing the state-owned Kuwaiti oil company.

The report stated that there were no injuries in the incident. Dubai authorities later confirmed that firefighters had successfully extinguished the flames that erupted following the attack.

KUNA reported that the tanker was fully loaded at the time of the attack, resulting in damage to the ship’s structure and the risk of environmental pollution.

“The attack caused material damage to the ship’s hull and the possibility of an oil spill in the surrounding waters,” the KUNA report stated.

Kuwait’s military also stated on Tuesday that their air defence systems were actively repelling aerial attacks. This statement was posted on social media platform X regarding the latest security situation.

“Our air defence is responding to hostile missile and drone attacks,” the Kuwaiti military emphasised.

The oil-rich Gulf region has become a primary target of Iranian attacks following the US-Israel strikes that sparked war in the Middle East late last month. Tehran has threatened to target vital infrastructure across the Gulf, including energy sites.