The UAE has had a deeper involvement in the Middle East conflict than expected. The United Arab Emirates continued to carry out strikes on Iran during the conflict and even after the ceasefire was announced in April.Sources told the Wall Street Journal that the attacks were coordinated with the United States and Israel, which provided intelligence support. The targets reportedly included the islands of Qeshm and Abu Musa in the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, the oil refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, and the Asalwiyeh petrochemical complex.Some of the strikes focused on Iranian energy facilities and were carried out in response to Tehran’s attacks on UAE oil and gas infrastructure.
The attack on Asalouyeh, which was carried out in conjunction with Israel, sparked significant international criticism and prompted the United States to demand that Israel stop attacks on energy facilities.
How has the Gulf’s position changed?
Before the conflict began, the Gulf states announced that their airspace and military bases would not be used to launch attacks. However, some changed their position after Iran launched missile and drone attacks against population centers, airports and energy infrastructure in the Gulf in an attempt to increase the economic and political costs of the war.
The UAE was the main target of those attacks, facing more than 2,800 missiles and drones from Iran, far more than any other country, including Israel.
Saudi-Emirati differences appear
The Emirati response also revealed divisions within the Gulf region. In early April, Saudi Arabia reportedly complained to the United States that UAE military actions increased the risk of Iranian retaliation against regional energy facilities, a development that could impact oil prices and global markets.
Saudi officials wanted Washington to pressure the United Arab Emirates to stop retaliatory strikes and instead support diplomatic initiatives pursued by countries in the region, according to people familiar with the discussions.The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, according to what was reported by the Wall Street Journal, “The United Arab Emirates holds Iran fully responsible for these terrorist attacks and their repercussions.”Saudi Arabia, which has seen fewer and less damaging attacks from Iran, has publicly condemned the strikes on Gulf states, but has taken a less confrontational approach, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.Meanwhile, tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh increased as the war continued. Gulf officials said that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed felt frustrated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the latter refused to participate in coordinated military operations against Iran.The dispute adds to existing differences between the two countries, which were already competing for influence in the Red Sea region and supporting opposing sides in the conflicts in Sudan and Yemen.
In April, the UAE withdrew from OPEC and pledged to strengthen security relations with the United States and Israel.
Political and economic measures against Iran
In addition to its military actions, the UAE supported draft resolutions at the United Nations authorizing the use of force, if necessary, to end Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.The country has also taken measures targeting Iranian financial interests. The authorities closed schools and clubs linked to Tehran in Dubai and restricted entry and transit visas for Iranian citizens, affecting the economic ties that had long linked the UAE and Iran despite Western sanctions.Iran has repeatedly accused the UAE of participating in the American and Israeli campaign.
A history of taking risks
For years, the UAE has been willing to take significant foreign policy risks and use military force to advance regional interests. It has previously supplied weapons to militias in Sudan and Libya and deployed mercenaries to Yemen as part of efforts to confront regional rivals.However, questions remain about whether the UAE can effectively deter a larger, geographically closer adversary like Iran.
Its operations represent only a small portion of the more than 20,000 strikes carried out by the United States and Israel during the conflict.Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East continue three months later, with the US and Iran still facing off over the Strait of Hormuz and its use. The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. After the attack, Tehran effectively pressured the vital oil pipeline, depleting global energy supplies.
