UAE Secretly Joined Israeli-US Strikes on Iran, Report Says
ArchivedGlobalUpdated 2x|15 articles|13 sources|6 blocks
Detected: Updated: Analyzed:
NarrativeRadar Analysis·Reviewed by M. Reyes·AI-assisted, editorially supervised·Based on 15 articles from 13 sources
[2026-05-14] Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi accused the United Arab Emirates of being an "active partner" in US-Israeli attacks on Iran, as new reports detail covert Emirati and Saudi airstrikes during the April war. US Central Command’s chief also said Iran possessed highly enriched uranium before the conflict, while Tehran has stepped up hostile messaging and threats toward the UAE. The depth of Emirati and Saudi military involvement, and how Iran will respond, remains disputed.
Reported Facts
Observable data points shared across all narratives
- •Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, publicly alleged on 2026-05-14 that the UAE actively joined US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
- •Multiple reports say the UAE carried out covert airstrikes on Iranian territory in April 2026, coordinated with US and Israeli operations.
- •Saudi Arabia is also reported to have launched secret bombing raids on Iran as the regional war expanded beyond Israel and the US.
- •Iranian officials and state-linked outlets have increasingly singled out the UAE in war-related statements since early May 2026, warning of possible retaliation.
- •Media reports say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE during the conflict with Iran to discuss wartime coordination.
- •Gulf governments have arrested Shiite citizens and residents accused of acting as "traitors" or Iran sympathisers during the war.
- •The head of US Central Command stated that Iran had stocks of highly enriched uranium before the outbreak of the latest fighting.
- •Regional press and financial outlets report that Saudi strikes on Iran have raised concerns over risks to Gulf energy infrastructure and trade routes.
Core Disagreement— Gulf Motive
According to West, gulf rulers quietly counter iran while protecting trade and stability.. However, Middle East sources see it as uae and saudi knowingly joined us-israeli aggression on iran..
Narrative Split
How different information blocks interpret these facts
ME
Gulf Complicity Charge
Middle Eastern outlets close to Iran and critical of Gulf monarchies present the UAE and Saudi Arabia as full participants in US-Israeli aggression against Iran. They stress Araghchi’s claim that the UAE was an "active partner" and highlight reports of Saudi and Emirati covert raids as proof that these states have crossed from quiet cooperation to open warfare. They expect Iran to keep raising the cost for the UAE and Saudi Arabia, through threats, cyberattacks, or indirect strikes, while trying to avoid a direct clash with the US.
- •Iranian officials describe the UAE and Saudi Arabia as direct partners in US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory.
- •Reports of Emirati and Saudi covert airstrikes are cited as evidence that Gulf rulers abandoned any neutral stance in the war.
- •Iran’s sharper threats toward the UAE are framed as a justified response to Emirati participation in bombing raids.
- •Gulf arrests of Shiite citizens are portrayed as repression aimed at silencing opposition to cooperation with Israel and the US.
- •Netanyahu’s alleged secret visit to the UAE is presented as wartime coordination between Israel and Emirati leaders.
WEST
Quiet Gulf Alignment
Western outlets describe Saudi and Emirati strikes as limited, covert actions that show how far some Gulf rulers are willing to go against Iran while still avoiding open war. They stress that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi acted secretly to manage domestic opinion and protect economic interests, even as they quietly aligned with US and Israeli goals. They expect Washington to welcome the extra military pressure on Iran but also to urge Gulf partners to keep the conflict contained.
- •Saudi Arabia and the UAE allegedly carried out secret bombing raids on Iran during the April fighting.
- •Gulf rulers are described as sharing US and Israeli concerns about Iran’s missile and nuclear work, even while keeping formal ties cautious.
RU
US-Led Anti-Iran Front
Russian outlets depict the reported Emirati and Saudi strikes as proof that Washington has built a wider anti-Iran front that now includes Gulf monarchies. They stress that these attacks were coordinated with US and Israeli forces and argue that Gulf rulers are risking their own security and energy exports by joining Western plans. They predict that Iran will answer through asymmetric means and that Moscow and Beijing will use the fallout to deepen ties with Tehran.
- •Reports of UAE covert strikes on Iran are presented as evidence of a US-organised military campaign involving Gulf partners.
- •Saudi bombing raids are described as part of a broader Western-backed effort to weaken Iran.
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Where Narratives Diverge
Key disagreements, blind spots, and what to watch next.
Gulf Motive◇Different Reading
West
Gulf rulers quietly counter Iran while protecting trade and stability.Middle East
UAE and Saudi knowingly joined US-Israeli aggression on Iran.Russia
Gulf states act as junior partners in a US-led anti-Iran front.So what
Readers cannot easily judge whether Gulf actions are defensive steps or part of a wider offensive plan against Iran.
Strike Scale⚡Disputed
West
Saudi and Emirati raids were limited, covert and carefully targeted.Middle East
Gulf participation formed a substantial part of the attacks on Iran.Russia
Gulf strikes were meaningful contributions to a coordinated campaign.So what
Without clear data on how many targets Gulf jets hit, it is hard to measure how deeply the UAE and Saudi Arabia are now involved in the war.
US Green Light○Nobody Covers
No block provides detailed information on what explicit permissions or tasking, if any, the US military gave to Emirati and Saudi forces for strikes inside Iran. Knowing this would show whether Washington merely tolerated Gulf actions or directly directed them, which changes how much blame the US carries for any Iranian retaliation.
Iran Response▸What to Watch
If Iran carries out a clearly claimed attack on UAE or Saudi territory, or formally downgrades ties in the coming weeks, that would confirm Tehran sees the Gulf states as full wartime enemies rather than just US partners.
What Could Happen If...
- ▸If Iran publicly presents detailed evidence of Emirati and Saudi roles in the April strikes, such as radar tracks or wreckage from Gulf aircraft or missiles UAE and Saudi Arabia may face stronger domestic criticism and pressure from some Muslim-majority states, and could respond by tightening security and further aligning with US and Israeli defence support.
Market Exposure
Different sides disagree on how this affects markets. The same instrument may move in opposite directions depending on which reading proves correct.
According to West sources
CommodityBrent CrudeIncreased Volatility
Reports that Saudi Arabia and the UAE joined strikes on Iran increase the chance of Iranian retaliation against Gulf oil facilities or shipping, which could cause sharp swings in Brent prices depending on whether any attack succeeds.
Source Coverage
WEST
2 articles
RU
1 articles
CN
1 articles
ME
7 articles
FINANCE
1 articles
REGIONAL
3 articles
Narrative Analysis
Divergence Detectedconfidence: 90%
Signals
Cross-block coverage detectedMultiple blocks covering the same event
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Primary Sources (15)
WESTFrance24 - World (EN)Why did Saudi Arabia and the UAE allegedly carry out secret bombing raids on Iran?WESTNew York Times - WorldGulf Countries Arrest Shiite ‘Traitors’ Amid War With IranRURT (EN)UAE carried out covert strikes on Iran – WSJCNAsia TimesIran’s cyberwar reaches the families of American troops