Iran Missiles Hit Sharjah Today — What Is Happening in the UAE and Why India Is Watching Closely
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Shaurya Thakur 2026-04-07 Iran War 2026, India Economy 26
A ballistic missile fired from Iran struck the administrative building of Thuraya Telecommunications Company in Sharjah's central zone today, April 7. The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that one ballistic missile and 11 drones launched from Iran were intercepted by the country's air defence systems — but the Thuraya building was hit. Two Pakistani nationals were injured and hospitalised. It is the latest in a sustained campaign of Iranian strikes on the UAE that has been ongoing since the war began on February 28.
For the tens of thousands of Indians living and working in the UAE — and for India's economy more broadly — this conflict is not a distant story.
How This War Started
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes across Iran, targeting military infrastructure, leadership figures, and key defence installations in what was described as an operation aimed at regime change. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was among those killed in the initial strikes.
Iran responded within hours with what it called Operation True Promise IV — a massive wave of ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles targeting not just Israel and US military bases in the region, but all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman all came under fire. Iran's logic, analysts say, was deliberate — by targeting Gulf countries that host US military bases, it was trying to exact costs on America's regional allies and force them to pressure Washington.
What Has Happened in the UAE So Far
The UAE has borne the heaviest burden of Iranian strikes outside of Israel itself. As of last week, UAE air defences had intercepted and destroyed 498 ballistic missiles, 2,141 drone attacks, and 23 cruise missiles fired from Iran. Despite the high interception rate — around 92 to 94 percent of incoming projectiles — the sheer volume has caused real damage.
A fire broke out at the Ruwais Industrial Complex in Abu Dhabi, forcing the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to shut its main refinery temporarily — a facility that normally produces 922,000 barrels of oil per day. Dubai International Airport closed briefly during missile alerts, with passengers and staff directed to shelters. Falling debris from intercepted missiles struck residential buildings and key infrastructure. Thirteen people have been killed, including civilians from Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nepalese nationalities, with over 221 injured.
Today's Sharjah strike on Thuraya Telecom — a major satellite communications company — adds to this picture. Residents across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah received SMS shelter alerts earlier this evening.
Why India Is Directly Affected
Over 3 million Indians live and work in the UAE. Many are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah — the three emirates most directly affected by today's events. When missiles hit Dubai's airport or Sharjah's central zone, Indian workers are in those areas. The Indian government has been in contact with Indian community leaders in the UAE throughout the conflict and has advised caution.
Beyond the human dimension, the economic impact is significant. India has cancelled over 10,000 flights since the conflict began on February 28, with daily Middle East routes reduced from 300-350 to 80-90. Longer rerouted flights to Europe and North America have added hours to travel times and pushed up costs for Indian carriers.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven Brent crude to over $110 per barrel, creating fuel price pressure in India that the government has been managing through excise duty cuts and OMC subsidies. As long as the Strait remains disrupted, every Indian who buys petrol, diesel, or LPG feels the effect.
Trump's Warning and the Escalation Risk
Today's broader picture includes an escalating war of statements. US President Trump has threatened to target Iran's power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Iran has rejected a US ceasefire plan and continued striking Gulf infrastructure. Iran's leadership council has warned of possible threats to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait — another critical shipping route — if pressure continues.
For India, the worst-case scenario is a widening conflict that shuts both the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb simultaneously. That would fundamentally disrupt India's energy supply chain and trade routes in ways that excise duty cuts alone could not address.
For now, the government has maintained that India has sufficient crude and product stocks, and is actively diversifying supply sources. The WEF has identified India as among the most vulnerable major economies to sustained Hormuz disruption — a position that makes the daily developments in the UAE very much India's business.
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