US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had officially denied any involvement in the recent West Asia conflict, is now reported to have secretly carried out military strikes inside Iran during the war.
The report adds a new and sensitive layer to the already complex regional conflict, which involved several Gulf countries. It raises fresh questions about the UAE’s hidden military role, even as it publicly maintained a position of neutrality during the five-week-long confrontation.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: Alleged strike on Iranian refinery
According to reports, one of the key incidents involved a strike on an oil refinery located on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf in early April. This reportedly happened around the same time when US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire after weeks of rising military tensions involving Iran.
The attack is said to have caused a massive fire at the refinery and disrupted its operations for several months. At that time, Iran described the incident as an attack carried out by an enemy force. Later, Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting both the UAE and Kuwait, further escalating tensions across the Gulf region.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: UAE position and international response
Although the UAE has not openly admitted to carrying out the strikes, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to earlier statements asserting the country’s right to respond militarily to hostile actions, according to the report.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the allegations, while the White House also avoided directly addressing questions about the UAE’s reported involvement. However, the US administration said President Donald Trump retained “every option at his disposal” and that Washington continued to maintain “maximum leverage” over Iran.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: Shift in Gulf countries’ stance
At the start of the conflict, Gulf nations had publicly stated that they would not allow their airspace or military bases to be used for operations against Iran. However, this position reportedly changed after Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting airports, cities, and energy infrastructure across the region.
These attacks were allegedly aimed at increasing the economic pressure on Gulf countries involved in the wider conflict. The UAE was one of the most heavily targeted nations, with reports suggesting more than 2,800 missiles and drones were directed at its territory.
According to the report, these attacks severely affected key sectors of the UAE economy, including aviation, tourism, and real estate, leading to job losses and temporary layoffs.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: Allegations of military activity inside Iran
The WSJ also cited open-source intelligence researchers who claimed that satellite imagery showed French-made Mirage fighter jets and Chinese Wing Loong drones operating inside Iranian territory. Both of these military systems are known to be used by the UAE armed forces.
US–Israel–Iran War Latest Update: Diplomatic pressure and regional tensions
Alongside alleged military actions, the UAE is also reported to have supported diplomatic and economic steps against Iran. These include backing United Nations proposals related to ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
The report further stated that Emirati authorities tightened restrictions on Iranian-linked businesses operating in Dubai during the conflict period.
Iran has repeatedly accused the UAE of aligning with the United States and Israel during the war. These allegations have gained renewed attention following the latest WSJ report, further intensifying already strained relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi.
