A powerful explosion ripped through the car park of Pejam Gulf, a major shipping company in a critical United Arab Emirates port, on Tuesday night, raising urgent concerns over maritime and infrastructure security in the Gulf region. While no casualties have yet been officially confirmed, authorities swiftly launched an investigation into the blast, examining possible connections to Iranian-backed terror networks targeting vital economic assets amid an escalation of regional tensions.
The incident took place in an industrial zone adjacent to Pejam Gulf’s shipping and logistics terminal. Early indications from UAE port security suggest the blast originated from a vehicle in a restricted area of the compound. Witnesses described a sudden fireball and black smoke visible for kilometers, highlighting the force and possible sophistication of the explosion. Local first responders secured the scene while bomb disposal units searched the area for additional devices, as a precautionary measure against further threats.
In the wake of the explosion, the UAE Ministry of Interior released a statement confirming the mobilization of security agencies, including the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the UAE Armed Forces. The incident is being examined with international intelligence partners, with investigators considering deliberate sabotage aimed at disrupting Gulf maritime infrastructure as a primary line of inquiry.
Maritime Infrastructure Vulnerability in the Gulf
The incident underscores the vulnerability of the UAE’s strategic port infrastructure, crucial for global energy and trade flows. Disruptions to such facilities threaten not only domestic stability and economic performance but also the reliability of global shipping and supply chains. The Gulf has seen a marked increase in attempted and successful attacks on infrastructure in recent years, frequently attributed to Iran and its proxies, who have sought to project power and undermine regional normalization and diversification efforts.
The explosion at Pejam Gulf comes amid heightened security alerts associated with the ongoing Iron Swords War, which began as Israel’s response to the October 7th Hamas massacre—the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust. That massacre and its aftermath have emboldened Iranian-backed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and aligned militias in Syria and Iraq, all of which are part of a strategy orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Their aim is to destabilize regional governments seen as cooperating with Israel, sabotage normalization under the Abraham Accords, and threaten the West’s access to energy supplies.
Ongoing Threats from Iranian Proxies
The current wave of attacks on Gulf infrastructure reflects a broader campaign of asymmetric warfare. Intelligence sources in the UAE and its allies, including Israel, have observed a surge in operational planning and online propaganda targeting maritime logistics, oil installations, and civilian transportation hubs. In parallel with acts of overt sabotage—such as the Pejam Gulf explosion—cyber warfare operations also continue to threaten corporate and government data networks within the region.
While responsibility for the Pejam Gulf blast has not yet been claimed, patterns in previous attacks point toward Iranian-backed militias, with the Houthis in Yemen having previously launched drone and missile strikes against Gulf and international shipping. These actions are intended to pressure Israel and its Western allies and to leverage regional turmoil against diplomatic normalization and security cooperation founded in the Abraham Accords.
Regional Cooperation and Israel’s Security Role
In response to recent terror campaigns, the UAE and other Gulf states have prioritized investment in counter-terror and infrastructure defense technologies. Israeli expertise—especially in missile defense, threat detection, and intelligence sharing—has become central to these efforts. Defense analysts note the adoption of Israeli-developed technology and tactics across Gulf infrastructure, and senior officials describe ongoing security collaboration as a pillar of resilience against terror threats.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir have all publicly highlighted the risk posed by Iranian proxies and urged expanded multinational intelligence cooperation. The explosion at Pejam Gulf highlights both the success and limitations of such partnerships: while current strategies have thwarted many threats, the evolving tactics of Iran’s network require constant vigilance and rapid adaptation.
Economic Impact and Civilian Response
In the immediate aftermath of the blast, Pejam Gulf suspended operations and initiated a comprehensive safety and security review. Port security measures were heightened across the UAE, with additional checks and patrols instituted at major logistics hubs. Shipping insurers, meanwhile, raised premiums for regional cargo, and several firms temporarily rerouted their vessels to minimize risk, briefly disrupting supply chains far beyond the Gulf.
Although no civilian casualties have occurred, the incident has prompted a renewed focus on public awareness and emergency readiness. Authorities have launched campaigns to encourage reporting of suspicious activity and reinforce resilience protocols for the diverse workforce reliant on the nation’s shipping sector.
Diplomatic Fallout and the Abraham Accords
From a geopolitical perspective, the incident is widely interpreted as part of Iran’s campaign to fracture the security partnership between Israel and Gulf states—especially those aligned under the Abraham Accords. UAE leaders have reiterated their commitment to security and cooperation, refusing to capitulate to destabilization attempts. International partners, from the United States to the European Union, have pledged support for the UAE’s investigation and broader security posture.
The explosion at Pejam Gulf highlights the reality of a new security paradigm: terror networks, led and sponsored by Iran, have expanded their operational reach and sophistication. Israel’s evolving partnership with Gulf states, underpinned by intelligence and technological exchanges, remains essential to combating these threats and preserving the stability on which global commerce depends.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, the Pejam Gulf car park explosion serves as a stark reminder of the persistent, rising threats facing the Gulf region’s economic infrastructure. Iran’s terror proxies continue to pursue a campaign of sabotage aimed at weakening regional governments and international partnerships that challenge their ambitions. The resilience and unity demonstrated by the UAE and its allies, particularly Israel, will remain critical as the region confronts an increasingly complex and dangerous security environment.
