The United Arab Emirates reportedly carried out large-scale covert attacks against Iran during the conflict with the United States and Israel, a development that could draw some Gulf states into direct war with Tehran. The report, published exclusively by the Wall Street Journal and citing well-informed sources, described the Emirates as prepared to use their Western-made fighter jets to defend their economic power and growing influence across the Middle East. At the same time, sources cited by the Guardian highlight divisions within the Gulf states-particularly between Saudi Arabia and the UAE-over whether Arab anger at Iranian attacks should lead to military reprisals or whether such retaliation would provoke Iranian hostility that could threaten the Gulf states’ delicate diplomatic relations.

The attacks and the role of the United Arab Emirates

In any case, the UAE attacks-unclaimed-include an April bombing of a refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, according to sources familiar with the matter. Meanwhile, Kuwait announced the arrest of at least four members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were allegedly attempting to carry out “terrorist attacks” on Bubiyan Island.

“It is significant that a Gulf Arab country, as a belligerent party, has struck Iran directly,” said Dina Esfandiary, a Middle East analyst and author of a book on the rise of the UAE. “Tehran will now seek to further exacerbate tensions between the UAE and other Gulf Arab states that are trying to mediate an end to the war,” she added. Before the conflict, Gulf countries had said they would not allow their airspace or bases to be used for attacks. But once the war began, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against populated areas, energy infrastructure and airports across the Gulf in an effort to raise economic and political costs and make it harder for the United States and Israel to continue their offensive. Iran concentrated much of its fire on the UAE, targeting the country with over 2,800 missiles and drones, a number far higher than that aimed at any other country, including Israel.

The attacks have severely disrupted UAE air traffic, tourism and the real estate market, prompting waves of layoffs and work suspensions. They have also produced a fundamental shift in the country’s strategic outlook: Gulf officials say the UAE now views Iran as a hostile actor intent on undermining the nation’s economic and social model, which depends on foreign talent and a reputation for safety and stability. Since then, the UAE has emerged as the most openly confrontational Gulf state and has maintained close military cooperation with the United States throughout the war, according to sources familiar with the matter.

“The Emirates made clear from the outset that they did not want this war. But it is equally clear that, from the first Iranian attacks against the UAE, Abu Dhabi has quite openly perceived a drastic change in the regional picture,” H.A. Hellyer, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in London, told the Wall Street Journal. “Abu Dhabi has not confirmed which targets it struck, or even whether it struck them, but from the early days of the war it seemed only a matter of time before several Gulf states became more militarily involved in the conflict,” he added.

Explaining Riyadh’s position to Arab News, Turki al-Faisal, the former Saudi ambassador to the United States, emphasized the wisdom of restraint. “If the Israeli plan succeeds in provoking a war between us and Iran, the region would be turned into a state of devastation and destruction, and Israel would be able to impose its will on the region, remaining the sole actor operating in our territory,” al-Faisal wrote.

Saudi Arabia at war? The scenario

Some analysts suggest that if Saudi Arabia were to enter a full-scale war today, oil facilities on the eastern coast would be destroyed, desalination plants hit, the pilgrimage to Mecca would suffer catastrophic consequences, and Vision 2030 projects would stall. Emirati hostility toward Iran reflects long-standing ideological differences, including Abu Dhabi’s willingness to sign the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel. Tehran’s strategy of trying to draw Gulf countries into the war has deepened political divisions among the Arab monarchies, forcing them to seek new arrangements to safeguard their security.

While all Gulf states face rising security risks and doubts about U.S. reliability, Abu Dhabi is strengthening its ties with Washington, said Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president. Beyond the raids, the Emirates backed draft United Nations resolutions that would authorize the use of force, if necessary, to break Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has also moved against Iran’s financial interests by closing schools and clubs in Dubai linked to Tehran and denying visas and transit permits to Iranian citizens. These measures have undermined the economic support the Emirates long provided to Iran amid heavy Western sanctions. Iran has repeatedly responded by accusing the UAE of joining the U.S. and Israeli campaign.

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