The United Arab Emirates secretly entered the Middle East war and carried out attacks against Iran last month, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources. This makes the United Arab Emirates a new direct participant in the war along with the United States and Israel.According to the report, the attacks targeted a refinery located on Iran’s Lavan Island in early April, “around the time” US President Donald Trump was “announcing a ceasefire in the war” after a five-week airstrike campaign.
The United States quietly welcomed the attacks from the Emirates and any other Gulf states that wanted to join the fight, and one source claimed that Washington was not worried because the ceasefire had not yet been fully established.Also read | Despite mediating US-Iran war, Pakistan allowed Iranian planes to use its air bases to prevent US attacks: ReportHowever, on the morning of April 8, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said that “the missile and drone attacks against the Emirates and Kuwait took place a few hours after the attack on Iran’s Lavan Island oil facilities.”The state broadcaster claimed that the Lavan facility “came under a cowardly attack” at 10:00 a.m. (06:30 GMT).On the same day, just hours after the ceasefire came into effect, the United Arab Emirates said it had been attacked by 17 Iranian missiles and 35 drones.The refinery was Iran’s 10th largest refinery in 2020, handling 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to EIA figures.The United Arab Emirates has not publicly acknowledged carrying out attacks inside Iran. Its Foreign Ministry highlighted previous statements affirming the country’s right to respond “including militarily” to hostile acts.Iran heavily attacked the United Arab Emirates during the conflict, launching more than 2,800 missiles and drones against Emirati territory, airports and infrastructure. The attacks disrupted tourism, air traffic and the real estate market, prompting what Gulf officials described as a major shift in Abu Dhabi’s strategic outlook toward Iran.Security analysts cited in the report said the UAE possesses one of the most advanced air forces in the region, equipped with French Mirage fighters, advanced F-16 aircraft, drones and surveillance aircraft. Speculation about the Emirates’ involvement intensified after unidentified fighter jets were reportedly seen operating over Iran early in the war.
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The report also claims that the UAE backed draft UN resolutions authorizing force, if necessary, to protect the Strait of Hormuz, and imposed restrictions affecting Iran-linked schools, clubs and tourist gates in Dubai.