May 12, 2026 (Gebeya Media) — Reports have emerged claiming that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside the United States and Israel, has been secretly participating in military operations against Iran.
According to The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, the UAE military launched an attack in early April on Iran’s Lavan Island oil refinery located in the Persian Gulf. Although the UAE has not officially confirmed the strike, reports indicate that the attack caused a massive fire at the refinery and rendered the facility inoperable for several months.
The development is said to mark a shift in Abu Dhabi’s role in the regional conflict — moving from a defensive posture to direct military involvement in attacks against Iran.
Iran reportedly described the incident as an “enemy invasion” and responded by launching more than 2,800 missiles and drones targeting the UAE and Kuwait. The retaliatory strikes, which reportedly focused more heavily on the UAE than Israel, are said to have caused severe economic damage.
Reports claim that stock markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi lost over $120 billion in value, while the cancellation of more than 18,400 flights severely impacted the country’s tourism sector. Instability in the real estate and commercial sectors has also reportedly led to widespread layoffs.
Analysts cited in the reports say the growing military coordination between the UAE, the United States, and Israel is intensifying the conflict. Washington’s alleged secret support for Abu Dhabi’s military involvement is also viewed as evidence that the UAE is increasingly aligning itself with American and Israeli strategic objectives.
The reports further mention unidentified fighter jets spotted in Iranian airspace in March and the crash of a Chinese-made “Wing Loong II” drone near Shiraz as possible early signs of direct Emirati involvement in the conflict.
Iran has also reportedly warned Saudi Arabia and Oman that any retaliatory response to UAE actions would primarily target Abu Dhabi, while also attempting to diplomatically isolate the UAE from its Gulf neighbors.
Meanwhile, tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia are also said to be worsening. Reports claim the UAE’s recent withdrawal from OPEC and its differing stance on the Iran conflict are widening divisions among Gulf states.
