According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the United Arab Emirates secretly carried out military strikes against Iran during the recent Gulf conflict. One of the alleged targets was a major oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. The attack reportedly took place in early April, around the same time a ceasefire was announced after a five-week air campaign.
The report claims that the UAE has not officially acknowledged these attacks publicly. The strike is said to have caused a massive fire at the refinery, forcing the facility to shut down operations for several months. Iran reportedly described the incident as an enemy attack and responded with missile and drone strikes targeting the UAE and Kuwait.
According to the report, the UAE launched more than 2,800 missiles and drones toward Iran during the conflict — more than any other participating country. Iranian attacks allegedly disrupted air traffic, tourism, and the property sector in the UAE, prompting Abu Dhabi to take a more aggressive stance.
Iranian Attacks Changed UAE’s Strategy
Officials in the Gulf region reportedly said that repeated Iranian attacks convinced Abu Dhabi that Iran posed a direct threat to its national security. Earlier, the UAE had attempted to maintain relatively stable relations with Tehran, but the continued strikes forced a major shift in policy.
The report says Iran initially justified its operations as attacks on American military bases, but cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi were also affected. Since tourism and real estate are major pillars of the UAE economy alongside oil, the impact was significant.
US Quietly Supported UAE’s Actions
The report further claims that United States did not object to the UAE’s participation in anti-Iran operations. While the White House declined to comment directly, it reportedly indicated that President Donald Trump was keeping all options open in the region.
Apart from military action, the UAE allegedly shut down Iran-linked schools and clubs in Dubai, tightened visa and transit restrictions for Iranian citizens, and supported proposals at the United Nations allowing force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
Analysts believe the escalating confrontation marks a significant shift in Gulf politics. The UAE now reportedly views Iran not only as a military threat but also as a direct challenge to its economic growth and regional stability.
However, experts also warn that these covert attacks could trigger a much larger regional conflict in the future.
