Full Breakdown
Gulf States Conduct Covert Strikes on Iran Amid the US-Israel War
5/13/2026, 3:51:59 AM
Core Event: Secret UAE and Saudi Airstrikes on Iranian Territory
In early 2026 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia launched undisclosed air operations against Iran. The UAE struck the Lavan Island oil refinery in early April, igniting a large fire that disabled most of the plant’s 60,000 bpd capacity for months. A joint UAE-Israel raid hit the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex on May 6, after the April 8 cease-fire between the United States, Israel and Tehran. Saudi Arabia’s air force carried out “tit-for-tat” strikes in late March, marking the first known Saudi attacks on Iranian soil. Both nations continued operations before and after the cease-fire.
Background & Context: From the Feb 28 US-Israel Campaign to Regional Retaliation
The conflict erupted after the United States and Israel bombed Iranian targets on Feb 28. Iran responded with waves of missiles and drones against all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, striking U.S. bases, civilian airports, oil facilities and closing the Strait of Hormuz. The sustained Iranian barrage made the UAE the most-targeted Gulf state, prompting Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to consider offensive options.
Timeline of Key Actions
- Feb 28 – U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
- Late Mar – Saudi Air Force conducts covert strikes on Iran (tit-for-tat).
- Early Apr – UAE attacks Lavan Island refinery; fire reported.
- Apr 7-8 – U.S.–Iran cease-fire announced; Iran launches missiles/drones at UAE and Kuwait in retaliation for the Lavan strike.
- May 6 – Coordinated UAE-Israel strike on Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.
- Mid-Apr – Saudi-Iran informal de-escalation talks reduce attacks on Riyadh.
Data & Statistics: Scale of the Air War
- Iran fired >2,800 missiles and drones at the UAE—more than at any other country, including Israel.
- The Emirati defence ministry recorded >2,260 drones and 580 missiles intercepted.
- Overall Iranian attacks on the GCC totaled ?550 ballistic/cruise missiles and >2,200 drones.
- The Lavan refinery, Iran’s 10th-largest, processes ?60,000 barrels of crude per day; the strike knocked out most of its output for months.
Official Statements & Responses
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed Israel deployed Iron Dome batteries and operators to protect Emirati territory.
- The UAE foreign ministry, while not confirming the strikes, reiterated its right to defend itself against hostile acts.
- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stated the kingdom “reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary.”
- A senior Saudi foreign-ministry official later emphasized “de-escalation, self-restraint and the reduction of tensions” as the preferred regional approach.
- Iranian parliament member Ali Khezrian warned that the UAE had been re-labelled a “hostile base.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts caution that the UAE’s covert offensive marks a significant escalation that could widen the war and force Gulf states into a “furnace of destruction.” Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal warned that unchecked escalation would devastate regional infrastructure and jeopardise Vision 2030 projects. Middle-East analyst Dina Esfandiary described the UAE’s participation as a “wedge-driving move” that risks further fragmentation among Gulf allies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sources differ on whether the UAE strike occurred before or after the April 8 cease-fire.
- Saudi strike targets remain unidentified; Reuters could not confirm specific sites.
- Some Western analysts attribute projectiles that hit Saudi Arabia in early April to Iraq-based launchers, not directly to Iran.
- Both the UAE and Saudi ministries declined comment on the covert operations, leaving official verification absent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While Iran has condemned these actions as a violation of "good neighborliness," the UAE has remained defiant.” — Iranian officials
- “We reaffirm Saudi Arabia’s consistent position advocating de-escalation, self-restraint and the reduction of tensions in pursuit of the stability, security and prosperity of the region and its people.” — Senior Saudi foreign-ministry official
- “when Iran and others tried to drag the kingdom into the furnace of destruction, our leadership chose to endure the pains caused by a neighbor in order to protect the lives and property of its citizens.” — Prince Turki al-Faisal, former Saudi intelligence chief
- “Our label of ‘neighbours’ with the Emirates has for now been lifted, and the label of ‘hostile base’ has been set for the country,” — Ali Khezrian, Iranian parliament member
- “It’s significant to have a Gulf Arab country as a warring party that struck Iran directly,” — Dina Esfandiary, Middle-East analyst
What’s Next: Diplomatic De-Escalation and Cease-Fire Prospects
Following the covert strikes, Saudi and Iranian officials reported an informal de-escalation in the week before the broader U.S.–Iran cease-fire, with diplomatic contacts reducing attacks on Riyadh. The United States has quietly welcomed Emirati participation, while President Donald Trump has described the cease-fire as “on life support.” Future developments hinge on whether diplomatic channels can sustain the de-escalation or whether renewed Iranian retaliation will compel further Gulf offensives.
