The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reportedly struck dozens of targets inside Iran during the recent West Asia conflict, coordinating closely with the United States and Israel in a campaign that extended from the war’s start until the day after the ceasefire announcement, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing ources familiar with the matter have revealed.
The strikes mark the first direct military involvement of a Gulf nation in the conflict against Tehran.
The Emirati campaign targeted sites on Qeshm and Abu Musa islands in the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, the Lavan Island oil refinery in the Persian Gulf, and the petrochemical complex in Asaluyeh.
The Asaluyeh strike was carried out jointly with Israel, drawing international criticism that led Washington to instruct Israel not to conduct further attacks on energy facilities.
The UAE has not publicly acknowledged the strikes, though its Foreign Ministry responded to the reports by stating Iran bore full responsibility for attacks and their consequences.
Washington silently welcomed Abu Dhabi’s participation after other Gulf states refused to join the military effort, with the Trump administration expecting more active involvement from regional partners.
The scale of UAE involvement sharpened divisions amongst Gulf countries, with Saudi Arabia complaining to the United States in early April that Emirati strikes were increasing risks to regional energy facilities.
Riyadh urged Washington to pressure Abu Dhabi to stop striking Iran and join diplomatic efforts instead.
Throughout the conflict, Iran launched sustained attacks on the UAE, firing some 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones, making it the most-targeted country in the region.
The UAE intercepted and destroyed 537 ballistic missiles, 2,256 drone attacks and 26 cruise missiles as of early April, with the attacks killing 13 people and injuring 224 others.
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