Iran threatens to invade Dubai in chilling propaganda clip showing balaclava-clad soldiers raiding cargo ship

George Bunn
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:55:10 +0000

Iran has issued a stark warning to Donald Trump, threatening to launch a ground invasion of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates should American forces attempt a land assault on Iranian territory.

The Iranian state-owned Fars News Agency published three so-called "rules of the game" that have reportedly been communicated directly to Washington.

The first rule states: "If there is a (US-led) ground attack, Bahrain and the UAE are mutual targets for a ground attack."

Tehran's second warning declares that any targeting of Iranian infrastructure would place "the entire region's power and oil facilities" at risk.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The third rule concerns assassinations, with Iran stating these would receive "their own specific response, which has already been officially announced".

These threats emerged alongside dramatic propaganda footage showing Iranian naval forces seizing vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears the regime is preparing to escalate hostilities once more.

Iranian state television broadcast chilling footage overnight showing masked Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commandos storming the cargo vessel MSC Francesca.

The video depicts troops in balaclavas approaching the ship in a grey speedboat before scaling a rope ladder to reach a shell door in the hull.

Armed soldiers can then be seen jumping through the opening with rifles raised, the entire sequence accompanied by an action-movie-style soundtrack but no commentary.

The propaganda clip also featured images of a second vessel, the Epaminondas, which Iran claims to have captured on Wednesday.

Tehran accused both ships of attempting to transit the strait without obtaining permits from Iranian authorities.

According to Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the captain of the Epaminondas "ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces" before troops opened fire and boarded the vessel.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM IRAN

UK inflation rises to 3.3% as Iran war takes toll on British economy

Three ships attacked and two seized in Strait of Hormuz as Iran warns Donald Trump ceasefire means 'nothing'

UK pint prices could reach £9 as Iran conflict pushes up energy costs

The UAE suffered devastating Iranian attacks at the outset of the conflict, with official government figures recording 12 deaths from drone and missile strikes that lasted for days.

Dubai bore the brunt of the assault, with airports forced to close for extended periods and thousands of flights cancelled as tourists found themselves trapped while explosions struck across the city.

The bombardment left nearly 200 people wounded, with casualties including both military personnel and civilians.

Iranian forces also carried out deadly strikes across other Gulf states, killing dozens in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman during the initial phase of hostilities.

In a sign of Tehran's growing control over the vital waterway, the vice-speaker of Iran's parliament, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, announced the first revenue from tolls being collected from ships transiting the strait had been transferred to the central bank.

The diplomatic standoff between Washington and Tehran shows no signs of resolution, with Mr Trump extending a two-week ceasefire while refusing to lift the American blockade of Iranian ports.

Tehran has made clear it will not consider reopening the strait until the US releases seized Iranian vessels and ends its naval blockade, which Iran characterises as a violation of the truce terms.

A senior Iranian source indicated to reporters Tehran might attend talks in Pakistan, but only if these conditions are met first.

Mr Trump has taken to social media to declare Washington maintains "total control" of the waterway, describing it as "sealed up tight" until Iran agrees to a deal.

The US President has celebrated the economic pressure campaign, claiming Iran is "collapsing financially" and "losing 500 Million Dollars a day" as a result of the blockade, leaving Tehran "starving for cash".