UAE allegedly secretly hit Iran during war

The United Arab Emirates allegedly carried out military strikes against Iran during the war, alongside the United States and Israel, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

According to the American newspaper, Abu Dhabi has never publicly recognized these operations. One of them would have targeted a refinery located on the Iranian island of Lavan, in the Persian Gulf, at the beginning of April.

The report does not specify whether this strike took place before or after the announcement of a ceasefire by US President Donald Trump. At the time, Iran acknowledged that a site had been attacked by an unidentified enemy.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Tehran then responded by firing missiles and drones towards the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The Lavan Island attack is the only specific example cited in the report of direct military involvement by the United Arab Emirates in the war.

A source cited by the newspaper claims that Washington would have welcomed Abu Dhabi’s participation, after the refusal of other Gulf countries to take an active part in the conflict.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented directly on this information. However, he recalled that the Emirates had already asserted their right to respond to Iranian attacks. The Pentagon also declined to comment.

During the war, Iran launched numerous attacks against the United Arab Emirates. According to the UAE Defense Ministry, around 550 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as more than 2,200 drones were fired into the country, making the Emirates one of the most targeted states in the region.

Most of the projectiles were reportedly intercepted, but some hit military and civilian targets. Iran also threatened to strike US bases in the region and blocked the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting a key route for the transport of oil and gas.

The Emirates have also signaled a probable resumption of Iranian attacks on their territory in recent days, despite the fragile ceasefire in force.