The Middle East conflict widened further this week after reports emerged that Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia had secretly carried out attacks on Iran, raising fears that the war could draw more regional powers directly into the fighting.
According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia launched covert strikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks linked to Tehran during the regional conflict. The operations were reportedly not made public at the time and reflected growing alarm among Gulf monarchies over Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure and shipping routes.
Separately, The Guardian reported that the UAE also carried out secret military strikes against Iranian targets, including an alleged attack on facilities on Iran’s Lavan Island shortly before an April ceasefire. The report said the UAE’s actions came after repeated Iranian attacks on Emirati infrastructure during the conflict.
The disclosures have intensified concerns that the confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States is evolving into a broader Gulf security crisis. Gulf states have increasingly faced direct threats to oil facilities, shipping lanes and urban centres since the conflict escalated earlier this year.
Iran has accused Gulf countries of cooperating with Israel and the United States against Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that countries “colluding with Israel” would be “held to account” after reports surfaced of closer UAE-Israel coordination during the war.
The UAE has publicly denied some claims surrounding secret diplomatic and military coordination. Emirati officials rejected reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an undisclosed wartime meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, insisting relations with Israel are conducted openly under the Abraham Accords framework.
Analysts say the reported covert operations highlight divisions within the Gulf region. While the UAE has taken a more confrontational approach towards Iran and strengthened ties with Israel, other regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have publicly warned against a wider regional war that could destabilise energy markets and the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has already disrupted shipping and energy infrastructure across the Gulf. A UAE-linked oil tanker was damaged in an Iranian drone strike near Oman this month, while several Gulf economies continue to face pressure from instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
Read more via The Guardian/BBC/ Reuters
