The United Arab Emirates has carried out military counter-strikes on Iranian targets, notable among them an oil refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. This action was highlighted in a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The strikes took place around April 8, coinciding with U.S. efforts to reinforce a ceasefire in the region.
Iran characterized the incident as an “enemy fire” assault on its National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company facility but did not reveal the identity of the attacker. In retaliation, Iran executed missile and drone strikes targeting both the UAE and Kuwait.
State media in Iran announced that these missile and drone assaults occurred shortly after the Lavan Island strike.
Despite the situation, the UAE has not publicly acknowledged its involvement. Officials in Abu Dhabi have consistently affirmed their right to respond to Iranian aggression, emphasizing a willingness to retaliate if the ceasefire collapses.
In the face of increasing hostilities, the UAE reported over 2,800 missile and drone attacks directed at its territory, significantly more than any other Gulf nation. Experts link this surge in aggression to the UAE’s alliances with the U.S. and Israel, as well as its proactive measures to maintain oil trade routes bypassing Iran’s interference in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE has also pulled out of OPEC and deployed vessels to evade blockades.
These actions are part of a larger pattern of exchanges, with Iran executing multiple drone and missile operations that have impacted UAE infrastructure, including a May 4 attack causing significant damage in Fujairah.
The details surrounding the strike on Lavan Island were shared by unnamed U.S. defense officials, who noted it as part of ongoing covert UAE operations within Iran. No casualties were reported from the refinery strike, and specifics of other undisclosed operations remain scarce.
As of May 11, the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues, although President Trump hinted that its viability is precarious, illustrating the situation as one with a “1 percent chance” of survival, suggesting a potential return to open conflict if negotiations stall.
