The UAE has had a deeper involvement in the Middle East conflict than estimated. The United Arab Emirates had continued to carry out strikes on Iran through the conflict and even after the April ceasefire was announced.The attacks were coordinated with the US and Israel, which provided intelligence support, sources told the Wall Street Journal. Targets reportedly included Qeshm and Abu Musa islands in the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, the oil refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, and the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.Some of the strikes focused on Iranian energy facilities and were carried out in response to Tehran’s attacks on Emirati oil and gas infrastructure. The strike on Asaluyeh, conducted jointly with Israel, drew significant international criticism and prompted the US to ask Israel to halt attacks on energy facilities.
How Gulf’s position changed
Before the conflict began, Gulf countries had stated that their airspace and military bases would not be used for attacks. However, some altered their position after Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Gulf population centres, airports and energy infrastructure in an effort to increase the economic and political costs of the war.The UAE was the primary target of those attacks, facing more than 2,800 missiles and drones from Iran, significantly more than any other country, including Israel.
Saudi Arabia-UAE differences emerge
The Emirati response also exposed divisions within the Gulf region. In early April, Saudi Arabia reportedly complained to the US that the UAE’s military actions were increasing the risk of Iranian retaliation against regional energy facilities, a development that could affect oil prices and global markets. Saudi officials wanted Washington to pressure the UAE to halt retaliatory strikes and instead support diplomatic initiatives being pursued by regional countries, according to people familiar with the discussions.“The UAE holds Iran fully responsible for these terrorist attacks and their repercussions,” the Gulf state’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, as cited by WSJ.Saudi Arabia, which experienced fewer and less damaging attacks from Iran, publicly condemned the strikes on Gulf states but pursued a less confrontational approach, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.At the same time, tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh also grew as the war raged on. Gulf officials said that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed became frustrated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the latter declined to participate in coordinated military operations against Iran.The disagreement added to existing differences between the two countries, which were already competing for influence in the Red Sea region and backing opposing sides in conflicts in Sudan and Yemen. In April, the UAE withdrew from OPEC and pledged to strengthen security ties with the US and Israel.
Political and economic measures against Iran
Alongside its military actions, the UAE supported draft resolutions at the United Nations authorising the use of force, if required, to end Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.The country also took measures targeting Iranian financial interests. Authorities closed schools and clubs in Dubai linked to Tehran and restricted visas and transit access for Iranian citizens, affecting economic links that had long connected the Emirates and Iran despite Western sanctions.Iran has repeatedly accused the UAE of participating in the US and Israeli campaign.
A history of taking risks
For years, the Emirates has been willing to take significant foreign policy risks and use military power to advance regional interests. It has previously supplied weapons to militias in Sudan and Libya and deployed mercenaries to Yemen as part of efforts to counter regional rivals.However, questions remain over whether the UAE can effectively deter a larger and geographically closer adversary such as Iran. Its operations represented only a small fraction of the more than 20,000 strikes carried out by the US and Israel during the conflict.Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have continued beyond the 3 month mark, as the US and Iran continue to have standoff over the Strait of Hormuz and its usage. The conflict began back on February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. After the attack, Tehran effectively squeezed the crucial oil pipeline, draining global energy supplies.