Iran launched a drone attack on the Al Salam Naval Base in Abu Dhabi, UAE, located at Zayed Port, which hosts French naval forces, according to the UAE Ministry of Defense statement on March 1, 2026. The strike is part of Iran’s escalating retaliatory operations against US allies in the Gulf following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israel strikes.
BREAKING: A French base has just been bombed.
The Mina Zayed port in the Emirates, near Abu Dhabi, was just hit by Iran.
Meanwhile Oil is up 15% in over the counter trading. pic.twitter.com/5DcgqcDxJl
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) March 1, 2026
The French naval base in Abu Dhabi, established in 2009, supports France’s military operations in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, including counter-piracy, training, and logistical support. While not a primary US base, its targeting expands Iran’s retaliation beyond American assets to include European allies involved in regional security.
The strike heightens concerns over the conflict spilling into European interests, with potential implications for international shipping, energy routes, and alliances in the Persian Gulf. France has not yet issued an official comment, but the incident marks a rare direct hit on a non-US/NATO facility in the UAE.