DUBAI, UAE, May 12 (ANI): Despite publicly denying any direct military involvement in the recent West Asia conflict, the United Arab Emirates reportedly carried out covert strikes on Iran, marking a significant escalation in the Gulf monarchy’s role in the war, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, the UAE conducted attacks in early April, including a strike on a refinery located on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, around the same time US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire following a five-week military campaign against Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the strike caused a major fire at the refinery and disrupted much of its operational capacity for several months.
Iran had described the incident at the time as an enemy attack and later launched missile and drone strikes targeting the UAE and Kuwait in retaliation.
According to the report, while the UAE has not publicly acknowledged carrying out the strikes, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to earlier statements affirming its right to respond, including militarily, to hostile actions.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the allegations, while the White House did not directly address questions regarding the UAE’s involvement.
However, according to the WSJ, the White House stated that Trump retained “every option at his disposal” and that the United States maintained “maximum leverage” over Iran.
The Gulf states had initially stated that they would not allow their airspace or military bases to be used for attacks on Iran.
But as the conflict intensified, Iran reportedly launched large-scale missile and drone attacks against Gulf population centres, airports, and energy infrastructure in an attempt to increase the economic and political cost of the war.
According to the report, the UAE became one of the principal targets of Iranian retaliation, with more than 2,800 missiles and drones allegedly directed toward the country during the conflict.
The attacks significantly affected the UAE’s aviation, tourism, and real estate sectors while also leading to layoffs and furloughs, the WSJ reported, citing officials.
The report further stated that Abu Dhabi’s strategic perception of Iran had shifted sharply, with Emirati officials increasingly viewing Tehran as a destabilising force threatening the country’s economic and social model.
The WSJ also cited open-source researchers who pointed to imagery allegedly showing French-made Mirage fighter jets and Chinese-made Wing Loong drones — both reportedly used by the UAE — operating inside Iranian territory.
The UAE has additionally supported diplomatic and economic measures against Iran, including backing proposed United Nations resolutions aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and restricting access for Iranian-linked entities operating in Dubai.
Iran, meanwhile, has repeatedly accused the UAE of aligning itself with the United States and Israel during the conflict. (ANI)
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