By Md Manzer Hussain

May 6 (Reuters) - Dubai led gains across Gulf stock markets in early trade on Wednesday, as a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire held firm despite a fresh flare-up in tensions, allowing investors to turn their attention back to corporate earnings.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would briefly pause an operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that carries about a fifth of global oil supplies and has been blockaded by Iran since late February, triggering a global energy crisis.

Dubai's benchmark stock index .DFMGI rose 1.5%, rebounding from losses in the previous session.

The United Arab Emirates' defence ministry said on Tuesday its air defences were responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran, although Iran's joint military command denied its forces had conducted any missile or drone operations against the UAE in recent days.

Among individual stocks, blue-chip developer Emaar Properties EMAR.DU gained 1.7%, while Dubai's largest lender, Emirates NBD ENBD.DU , added 1.5%.

The Abu Dhabi benchmark index .FTFADGI advanced 0.5%, with most constituents trading higher. Gains were led by utilities, healthcare and technology shares.

Presight AI Holding PRESIGHT.AD jumped 5%, while Alpha Dhabi ALPHADHABI.AD climbed 2.3% after the conglomerate reported an 82% surge in first-quarter net profit.

ADNOC's four listed units also advanced. ADNOC Logistics ADNOCLS.AD rose 2.6%, ADNOC Distribution gained 2%, ADNOC Drilling ADNOCDRILL.AD added 1.5% and ADNOC Gas ADNOCGAS.AD was up 1.2%.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company expects to make a final investment decision this year on its unconventional gas project with TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), with approval for a separate unconventional oil project expected to follow soon, its upstream chief said.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index .TASI rose 0.4%, with most constituents trading in positive territory. Gains were led by information technology, materials and healthcare stocks.]

Saudi Arabian Mining Co 1211.SE added 4.5%, while Arabian Mills for Food Products 2285.SE surged 8% after reporting a 32% rise in first-quarter net profit. Retal Urban Development 4322.SE slipped 3.5% after the developer posted a 13% drop in first-quarter net profit.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported a first-quarter fiscal deficit of 125.7 billion riyals ($33.5 billion) as the kingdom increased spending to support the economy amid disruption caused by the Iran war.

The Qatari benchmark index .QSI edged up 0.3%, as most stocks traded higher. Industries Qatar IQCD.QA gained 0.7%, while Qatar Fuel Co QFLS.QA added 0.6%.

(Reporting by Md Manzer Hussain)