The United Arab Emirates carried out covert military strikes on Iran during the
recent conflict, including an early April attack on an oil refinery on Iran’s
Lavan Island that caused a major fire and disrupted production for months,
according to people familiar with the matter. Iran later launched missile and
drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait in response. The UAE declined to comment
directly on the strikes but cited its right to respond militarily to hostile
acts. The report said the UAE deepened military cooperation with the U.S. as
Iran targeted Gulf infrastructure and population centers during the war.
Analysts cited in the report said the conflict marked a major shift in the UAE’s
strategic posture toward Iran.
