The United Arab Emirates carried out undisclosed military operations inside Iran during the recent conflict, including a strike on a refinery located on Lavan Island in early April, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The airstrike, which has not been publicly confirmed by Abu Dhabi, is said to have occurred around the same time President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire. The attack reportedly ignited a major fire at the site and significantly disrupted the refinery’s output.

Iranian officials said at the time that the facility had been struck by hostile forces. In response, Tehran launched a wave of missiles and drones targeting the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

A source cited by the Journal said U.S. officials were not concerned by the Emirati action, noting that the ceasefire had not yet formally gone into effect. The same source said the White House privately viewed the UAE’s involvement favorably, along with any other Gulf nation willing to take part in the conflict.

The UAE Foreign Ministry did not directly address the reported operation, instead referring to earlier statements asserting the country’s right to respond to threats, including through military means, according to the Journal.

If confirmed, the reported strike would represent a notable broadening of the regional conflict. The UAE has historically attempted to maintain a balance between its security partnerships with the United States and Israel and its economic and diplomatic ties with Iran. Direct action on Iranian territory would mark a significant escalation, even if not officially acknowledged.

The development follows reports that Israel, facing repeated attacks from Iran, has deployed defensive systems within the UAE, including an Iron Dome battery and the Iron Beam laser system.

Since the conflict began, the UAE has reportedly tracked more than 550 ballistic missiles, dozens of cruise missiles, and over 2,260 drones launched from Iran.

The strike on the Lavan Island refinery also underscores the increasing focus on energy infrastructure in the war. Attacks on refineries, ports, and shipping lanes have intensified pressure on global energy supplies and heightened concerns that the conflict could spread further throughout the Gulf, a region where oil production and transportation are deeply interconnected.

From Washington’s perspective, the reported Emirati action may have served both strategic and political purposes, demonstrating that regional allies were willing to engage Iran while allowing the UAE to avoid publicly claiming responsibility for a move that could trigger a stronger retaliation.

For Iran, the implications were significant. The conflict appeared to be expanding beyond direct involvement by the United States, Israel, and Iran, suggesting that at least one key Gulf neighbor may have quietly entered the fight.

{Matzav.com}