The United Arab Emirates has allegedly carried out covert military strikes on Iran, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Monday. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report claimed that the UAE conducted a series of attacks that were not publicly acknowledged by Emirati authorities.
Among the alleged operations was a strike targeting a refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, the report said. The attack reportedly took place in early April amid escalating regional tensions and ongoing instability in the Gulf. Lavan Island is considered strategically important because of its role in Iran’s oil infrastructure and energy exports.
The report did not specify the scale of the alleged strikes or the extent of the damage caused. Neither the UAE nor Iran has officially commented on the claims so far. The alleged attacks, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in tensions between the two Gulf nations and could further destabilise an already volatile region.
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News agency Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the Wall Street Journal report. The absence of official confirmation from either side has left several aspects of the alleged operations unclear, including whether there were casualties or additional targets beyond the reported refinery strike.
Relations between Iran and several Gulf countries have remained tense in recent years despite intermittent diplomatic efforts to improve ties. The region has witnessed repeated confrontations involving maritime security, proxy conflicts and disputes over energy routes, particularly in and around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The report comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, with global markets closely monitoring developments that could affect oil supplies and regional stability. Any direct military confrontation involving Iran and Gulf states is likely to intensify international concerns over energy security and broader conflict risks in the region.
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