The United Arab Emirates has secretly carried out strikes against targets in Iran, including an oil refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources.

The UAE, which previously suffered serious damage from Iranian attacks, has allegedly begun using its air force against Iranian facilities. The country possesses modern armed forces equipped with reconnaissance systems and Western fighter jets, including French Mirage and American F-16s.

This purportedly allows Abu Dhabi to act more aggressively to protect its economic interests and increase its influence in the region.

After a significant portion of Iran's air defense system was destroyed by Israeli and American forces, the risks to UAE aviation have substantially decreased.

According to WSJ sources, among the officially unconfirmed operations was an April 8 strike on the oil refinery on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. The attack caused a large fire and put part of the facility's capacity out of commission for several months.

The sources claim that the US regime informally did not object to such UAE actions and could support similar steps by other Gulf states.

The UAE Foreign Ministry declined to comment on such operations, only reiterating the country's previously stated right to respond, including military measures, to hostile actions.

Notably, during the current conflict, the UAE has become one of the main targets of Iranian attacks: more than 2,800 missiles and drones have been fired at its territory – more than at any other country in the region, including Israel.

Source: kun.uz