The United Arab Emirates has been more deeply involved in the Middle East conflict than anticipated. The United Arab Emirates continued attacks on Iran during the conflict and after a ceasefire was announced in April.Sources told The Wall Street Journal that the attacks were coordinated with the US and Israel, which provided intelligence support. Targets reportedly included Qeshm and Abu Musa islands in the Strait of Hormuz, Bandar Abbas, the oil refinery on Lawan Island in the Persian Gulf, and the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.Some attacks focused on Iranian energy facilities and were carried out in response to Tehran’s attacks on the emirate’s oil and gas infrastructure. The attack on Asaluyeh, carried out jointly with Israel, drew significant international criticism and prompted the US to ask Israel to stop attacks on energy facilities.

How did the situation in the Gulf change?

Before the conflict began, Gulf countries had said that their airspace and military bases would not be used for attacks. However, some changed their position after Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Gulf population centers, airports, and energy infrastructure in an effort to increase the economic and political costs of the war.The UAE was the primary target of those attacks, facing more than 2,800 missiles and drones from Iran, significantly more than any other country, including Israel.

Saudi Arabia-UAE differences emerge

The Emirati response also highlighted divisions within the Gulf region. In early April, Saudi Arabia reportedly complained to the US that the UAE’s military actions were increasing the risk of Iranian retaliation against regional energy facilities, a development that could impact oil prices and global markets. According to people familiar with the discussions, Saudi officials wanted Washington to pressure the UAE to stop retaliatory attacks and instead support diplomatic initiatives being taken by regional countries.“The UAE holds Iran fully responsible for these terrorist attacks and their consequences,” the Gulf state’s Foreign Ministry said, as quoted by the WSJ.Saudi Arabia, which experienced fewer and less damaging attacks from Iran, publicly condemned the attacks on Gulf states, but adopted a less confrontational approach, focusing on diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.Also, as the war escalated, tensions between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh also increased. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has become frustrated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after Salman refused to take part in coordinated military operations against Iran, Gulf officials said.The disagreement exacerbated 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 ties with the US and Israel.

Political and economic measures against Iran

As well as 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 also took steps targeting Iranian financial interests. Authorities closed Tehran-linked schools and clubs in Dubai and restricted visa and transit access for Iranian citizens, hurting economic ties that have long linked the emirate and Iran despite Western sanctions.Iran has repeatedly accused the UAE of participating in the US and Israeli campaign.

history of risk taking

Over the years, the emirate has been willing to take significant foreign policy risks and use military power 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 counter regional rivals.However, questions remain whether the UAE can effectively deter a larger and geographically closer rival like Iran. Its operations represented only a small portion of the more than 20,000 attacks conducted by the US and Israel during the conflict.Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have continued for more than 3 months, as the standoff between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and its use continues. The conflict began on 28 February, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Following the attack, Tehran effectively shut down the vital oil pipeline, cutting off global energy supplies.