The Wall Street Journal, in its latest report, claimed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) secretly launched direct attacks on Iran in early April. According to the report, the UAE entered the ongoing Middle East conflict by carrying out strikes inside Iranian territory.
As per the report, the UAE targeted Iran’s refinery located on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. The facility was Iran’s 10th-largest refinery as of 2020 and was processing around 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The alleged attack reportedly occurred at the same time as US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, following a five-week air campaign.
Due to the reported strikes, Iran allegedly had to shut down parts of the facility for several months. During that period, Iran did not publicly name the UAE and referred to the incident as an enemy attack. However, it reportedly responded with missile and drone strikes targeting areas associated with the UAE and Kuwait.
UAE Attacks Iran: No Official Confirmation Yet
So far, there has been no official confirmation from the UAE regarding these alleged attacks. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously stated that the country would respond militarily to hostile acts.
The latest report also claims that the United States welcomed the UAE’s participation in the broader regional dynamics, noting that the ceasefire had not yet come into effect at that time.
How Did Iran Respond?
In response to the alleged attack, reports claim that Iran launched more than 2,800 missiles and drones toward Emirati territory, including airports and infrastructure. These attacks reportedly disrupted tourism, air traffic, and the property market for months, and the country continues to work toward stabilizing the situation.
When the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran came into effect, the UAE stated that it had been targeted by 17 Iranian missiles and 35 drones.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the UAE has reportedly maintained a firm stance toward Iran. The tensions have affected tourism and led to layoffs and furloughs in several sectors. Iran has frequently been cited as a destabilizing factor in the region, while the UAE has positioned itself as a growing economic hub in West Asia.
Security Context and Regional Developments
According to security analysts, the UAE operates one of the region’s most advanced air forces, equipped with French Mirage fighters, F-16 jets, drones, and surveillance aircraft. Speculation about the UAE’s involvement intensified when unidentified fighter jets were reportedly observed operating in Iranian airspace earlier in the conflict.
The report also mentions that the UAE has supported the creation of a multinational naval force to help secure shipping routes and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, it has imposed restrictions affecting Iranian-linked schools, clubs, and travel arrangements in Dubai.
