Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)
The United Arab Emirates made an unsuccessful attempt to persuade fellow Gulf states to join a coordinated attack on Iran shortly after the start of the American-Israeli war on Islamic Republic, Bloomberg reported on May 15.
According to the news site, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed spoke over the phone with other leaders in the region, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, arguing for a collective campaign. However, all the leaders refused.
The attempt may explain the rift between UAE and fellow Gulf states, as well as the Emirates’ latest decision to leave the OPEC cartel.
Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg also confirmed earlier reports by Reuters that Saudi Arabia struck Iran amid the war, but pivoted shortly thereafter to supporting Pakistani-led mediation efforts. The UAE was reportedly upset that it was not invited to play more of a role in that process.
Qatar, from its side, mulled retaliating after Iran hit its Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas plant — the largest in the world — but opted not to, according to the report.
The report also revealed that United States President Donald Trump’s administration was aware of the UAE’s effort to set up a joint military response, and wanted Saudi Arabia and Qatar to join.
The UAE ended up attacking a major Iranian petrochemical site on Lavan Island shortly after the ceasefire between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic entered into effect. The attack was reportedly coordinated with Israel.
Earlier in the week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that he had visited the United Arab Emirates and met with Mohammed bin Zayed amid the war. Abu Dhabi denied that the visit took place.
Prior to the announcement, the Wall Street Journal reported that chief of the Israeli Mossad spy agency David Barnea visited the UAE twice during the war. And more recently it was reported by Israel’s Kan public broadcaster that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also visited the Gulf state, and even met with Mohammed bin Zayed.
Also amid the war, Israel sent an Iron Dome air defense system and troops to operate it to the UAE, according to several reports. One of the reports, released by the Financial Times, said that an Iron Beam laser and surveillance systems were also sent to the Gulf state.
It is clear that the war on Iran has pushed the UAE away from the rest of the Gulf, and closer to Israel. This was a major gain for the latter.
All recent reports have increased tensions between the UAE and Iran, which made several serious threats to the Gulf state. If the war resumes, which is very likely, the Islamic Republic will likely hit the UAE harder than before. How the rest of the Gulf would respond is hard to predict.
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