UAE carried out dozens of strikes on Iran alongside Israel and US – report

Iran’s objective, according to the report, was to increase the cost of the military campaign for Gulf states involved in the conflict.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The United Arab Emirates conducted dozens of airstrikes against Iran during the recent conflict, operating in coordination with the United States and Israel and remaining active through the day after the April cease-fire was announced, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal.

The operations reportedly extended far beyond what had previously been publicly known about the UAE’s role in the war.

Abu Dhabi carried out attacks throughout the campaign, making it an active military participant alongside the United States and Israel.

The report said Iranian retaliation fell heavily on the UAE. More than 2,800 missiles and drones were directed at the country, with cities, airports and energy facilities among the targets.

Iran’s objective, according to the report, was to increase the cost of the military campaign for Gulf states involved in the conflict.

Details reported by The Wall Street Journal indicate that Emirati aircraft struck multiple sites across Iran, including locations in Bandar Abbas, the Lavan Island oil refinery, the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex, and targets on Qeshm Island and Abu Musa Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

The operations were reportedly carried out with intelligence assistance from the United States and Israel.

The Emirati campaign also became a source of tension within the Gulf region. According to the report, Saudi Arabia privately conveyed concerns to Washington in early April that continued strikes by the UAE could expose regional energy infrastructure to Iranian retaliation, with potential consequences for oil markets and the wider global economy.

Saudi officials reportedly urged the United States to encourage Abu Dhabi to end its military involvement and place greater emphasis on diplomatic channels.

One of the most sensitive operations cited in the report involved the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the strike, which was carried out in coordination with Israel, generated international criticism.

The report said Washington later pressed Israel to discontinue attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, Gulf governments publicly stated that their territory and airspace would not be used for military operations against Iran, but the UAE moved away from that position once the conflict began and joined the military campaign.