By Samantha Carter, Chief Editor
New reports from the Wall Street Journal have shed light on a pivotal, previously undisclosed chapter of the recent regional conflict: the United Arab Emirates (UAE) conducted dozens of targeted airstrikes against Iran, operating in close coordination with the United States and Israel. The campaign, which focused on Iranian energy infrastructure, concluded only after the formal US-Iran cease-fire was announced in early April.
A Shift in Regional Defense
The UAE’s military involvement marked a significant departure from the initial stance held by many Gulf states, which had pledged to keep their bases and airspaces off-limits for combat operations. This policy shifted following a barrage of more than 2,800 Iranian missiles and drones aimed at the UAE—a volume of fire that exceeded attacks on any other nation, including Israel.
In response, the UAE utilized intelligence provided by the US and Israel to strike key Iranian targets. Operations were conducted across several strategic locations, including the Qeshm and Abu Musa islands in the Strait of Hormuz, the city of Bandar Abbas, and the oil refinery on Lavan Island. Notably, a strike on the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex, conducted alongside Israel, drew international scrutiny. When pressed on the incident and subsequent requests from US President Donald Trump to halt attacks on energy facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “Israel acted alone against the Asaluyeh gas compound.”
Deepening Ties and Regional Rifts
The conflict served as a catalyst for a strengthened military and intelligence partnership between the UAE and Israel. Throughout the war, Israel deployed Iron Dome batteries and IDF personnel to the Emirates. The alliance was punctuated by a series of high-level visits from Israeli officials, including Mossad Director David Barnea, Shin Bet Director David Zini, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. Prime Minister Netanyahu also visited the country, despite initial public denials from the UAE Foreign Ministry.
However, this aggressive posture has come at a political cost. The UAE’s willingness to coordinate with Israel and the US created a growing divide within the Gulf Cooperation Council. UAE President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) reportedly expressed deep frustration with neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, after they declined to join a coordinated military response against Iran. According to reports, MBZ communicated this directly to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. Saudi officials subsequently voiced their concerns to the US, arguing that the UAE’s actions unnecessarily escalated the risk of Iranian retaliation across the region.
Significance and Future Implications
The friction between the UAE and its neighbors, rooted in these differing security strategies, appears to have reached a breaking point. The diplomatic fallout from the war is likely a primary driver behind the UAE’s decision to withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ in late April.
Looking ahead, the region may face a period of continued realignment. The deepening military cooperation between the UAE and Israel, coupled with the cooling of ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, suggests that the traditional bloc of Gulf states could remain fractured. Analysts might expect that the UAE’s move to prioritize its own security through direct alignment with Israel and the US may lead to further long-term shifts in regional energy and defense policy, potentially altering the balance of power in the Persian Gulf for years to come.
James Genn contributed to this report.