UAE Secretly Participated in Israeli-US Strikes on Iran, Report Reveals

May 12, 2026

The Wall Street Journal reported May 11, 2026 that Emirati forces targeted a refinery on Iran's Lavan Island in early April 2026, triggering Iranian retaliation with more than 2,800 projectiles against the UAE. Over 18,400 flights have been cancelled and more than $120 billion wiped from Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges through end of April 2026. Washington quietly endorsed Abu Dhabi's involvement in strikes on Iran.

UAE strikes on Iran

▪The United Arab Emirates strike on Iran's Lavan Island refinery marked a significant escalation at a time when United States President Donald Trump was promoting a ceasefire after a five-week air campaign.
▪The strike on Iran's Lavan Island refinery triggered a large fire and disabled much of the facility's capacity for months.
▪Emirati forces targeted a refinery on Iran's Lavan Island in the Gulf in early April 2026.
▪The United Arab Emirates has not publicly acknowledged the operation targeting Iran's Lavan Island refinery.
▪The United Arab Emirates launched military strikes on Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on May 11, 2026.

Iranian retaliation campaign

▪Iran responded to the Lavan Island attack with a barrage of missile and drone strikes against the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
▪Iran has launched more than 2,800 projectiles at the United Arab Emirates, far exceeding attacks on any other country including Israel.
▪Iran described the Lavan Island refinery incident as an "enemy attack".

UAE economic fallout

▪More than $120 billion has been wiped from market capitalization on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges up to the end of April 2026.
▪Iranian retaliation has disrupted air traffic, hit tourism revenues, and rattled the United Arab Emirates property market.
▪Companies in the United Arab Emirates have announced furloughs and layoffs as the fallout from Iranian retaliation spreads across key sectors.
▪Over 18,400 flights have been cancelled in the United Arab Emirates as of the end of April 2026.

Israeli-US-UAE military coordination

▪The United Arab Emirates has maintained close military coordination with both the United States and Israel throughout the war on Iran.
▪Footage showed an unidentified fighter jet over Iranian territory in mid-March 2026 that did not match known Israeli or US aircraft.
▪Washington has quietly endorsed Abu Dhabi's involvement in strikes on Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal report.
▪Iran reportedly shot down a Chinese-made Wing Loong II drone near Shiraz, prompting analysts to question whether Gulf states including Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates had entered offensive operations.

Gulf regional tensions

▪Tensions between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have simmered for years and appear to be worsening.
▪Iran warned Saudi Arabia and Oman that it would heavily target the United Arab Emirates in response to the Israeli-US war on Iran.
▪The United Arab Emirates' recent exit from OPEC has further strained ties with Riyadh.

Perspective of Iran

▪Iran has launched more than 2,800 projectiles at the United Arab Emirates, far exceeding attacks on any other country including Israel.
▪Iran warned Saudi Arabia and Oman that it would heavily target the United Arab Emirates in response to the Israeli-US war on Iran.