The United Arab Emirates played a much more important military role than previously thought in the war against Iran, according to an investigation published by the Wall Street Journal. According to the American daily, Abu Dhabi carried out dozens of air strikes against Iranian targets during the first weeks of the conflict, but also after the ceasefire came into force in April.
According to sources cited by the newspaper, the operations targeted several strategic sites, including the islands of Qeshm and Abu Moussa in the Strait of Hormuz, the port city of Bandar Abbas, a refinery on the island of Lavan as well as the petrochemical complex of Assalouyeh.
The Wall Street Journal claims that the United States and Israel provided intelligence that enabled these strikes to be carried out. Israel itself targeted certain Iranian energy installations, notably in Assalouyeh, which reportedly led Washington to ask Jerusalem to stop attacks on energy infrastructure due to the risks to world markets.
These strikes were carried out in response to Iranian attacks on Emirati installations. According to official figures from the Emirates, Tehran fired around 550 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as more than 2,200 drones against the country between the end of February and the beginning of April, making the Emirates one of the most targeted states in the region.
The conflict has also accentuated the differences between the Gulf monarchies. Saudi Arabia is said to have exerted pressure on Washington so that the Emirates favored the diplomatic route, fearing an escalation likely to threaten regional oil infrastructure and the world economy.
At the same time, the war strengthened strategic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. According to the newspaper, Israel notably deployed a battery of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system as well as soldiers on Emirati territory in order to contribute to its protection against Iranian attacks.
