The United Arab Emirates secretly carried out military strikes on Iran during the recent regional conflict, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, May 12, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, one of the strikes targeted a refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf in early April, causing a major fire and knocking much of the facility’s capacity offline for months.
The UAE has not publicly acknowledged involvement in the attacks.
UAE became active participant in conflict
The report said the strikes marked a major shift in the UAE’s posture, showing the Gulf monarchy as an active participant in the conflict rather than a neutral regional actor.
According to WSJ, the UAE intensified military cooperation with the United States during the war and increasingly viewed Iran as a direct threat to its economic model and regional stability.
“It’s significant to have a Gulf Arab country as a warring party that struck Iran directly,” Middle East analyst Dina Esfandiary told the newspaper.
Iran reportedly targeted UAE with thousands of drones and missiles
The report said Iran launched more than 2,800 missiles and drones at the UAE during the conflict – more than against any other country, including Israel.
The attacks disrupted air traffic, tourism and business activity in the Emirates and contributed to a shift in Abu Dhabi’s strategic outlook toward Tehran, according to Gulf officials cited by WSJ.
Speculation over UAE involvement
Speculation about the UAE’s involvement had circulated since March after unidentified fighter jets and drones were reportedly spotted operating over Iran.
Open-source analysts cited by the newspaper pointed to possible use of French Mirage fighters and Chinese Wing Loong drones, both operated by the UAE military.
The Pentagon and the White House declined to comment on the report, while the UAE foreign ministry referred to earlier statements asserting the country’s right to respond to hostile acts, including by military means.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place but is “barely holding,” while sharply criticizing Tehran’s latest proposal to resolve the conflict.
“I would say that the truce is based on an artificial life support system,” he said.
The US president reiterated that any agreement with Iran must include a commitment that Tehran abandon its nuclear ambitions, calling his own approach straightforward.
Negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue through intermediaries, however, despite the ongoing diplomacy, Trump signaled that the situation remains uncertain.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, even as both sides reportedly explore pathways to de‑escalation and a potential agreement.