DUBAI,— The United Arab Emirates carried out military strikes on Iran, including an attack on a refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The newspaper said the strike happened in early April and was not publicly acknowledged by the UAE.

The report said the attack took place around the same time U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, although it did not specify whether the operation occurred before or after the declaration.

Iran acknowledged at the time that the site had been attacked by an unspecified enemy, according to the report.

Tehran later responded by launching missiles and drones toward the UAE and Kuwait, the newspaper said.

The report said the Lavan Island strike was the only specific example mentioned of direct UAE involvement in the conflict.

One source told the WSJ that Washington viewed Abu Dhabi’s participation positively after several Gulf states declined to take an active role in the war.

The UAE Foreign Ministry declined the newspaper’s request for comment on the reported strikes.

However, the ministry referred to earlier statements saying the country had the right to respond to Iranian attacks. The Pentagon also declined to comment.

The United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026.

Iran retaliated by launching thousands of missiles and drones at targets across the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

According to the report, the strikes hit key infrastructure in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including airports, seaports, oil facilities, hotels, and residential areas in the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE reported that suspected Iranian attacks have likely resumed within its territory over the past week, as Tehran intensified its strikes despite the already fragile ceasefire.

(With files from WSJ, Reuters, Times of Israel, Agencies)

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