UAE Reveals Role in Covert Attacks on Iranian Targets

By VirentaNews Staff — May 11, 2026

According to a recent investigation by The Wall Street Journal, the United Arab Emirates has secretly carried out at least a dozen military operations targeting Iranian nuclear and defense facilities since 2020—actions that, if confirmed, represent a dramatic departure from the Gulf state’s traditionally cautious foreign policy. These covert strikes, conducted in partnership with private military contractors and Israeli intelligence assets, have included drone attacks, cyber sabotage, and targeted assassinations of Iranian scientists and engineers. Such operations suggest a strategic shift by the UAE to actively disrupt Iran’s regional influence, particularly its nuclear ambitions, rather than relying solely on diplomacy or sanctions. The revelation comes amid heightened tensions across the Persian Gulf, where proxy conflicts and shadow wars have increasingly defined relations between Iran and its neighbors.

A New Front in the Gulf Shadow War

The UAE’s alleged covert campaign signals a broader transformation in Gulf security doctrine, where once-restrained monarchies are now embracing asymmetric warfare to counter perceived threats from Iran. For decades, regional powers like the UAE and Saudi Arabia relied on U.S. military presence and diplomatic channels to manage Iranian aggression. However, as American strategic focus shifts toward Asia and Europe, Gulf states are taking matters into their own hands. The WSJ report, citing current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials, indicates that Emirati intelligence units have collaborated with Israeli Mossad operatives and American private contractors to plan and execute attacks on Iranian soil. These operations, often disguised as accidents or natural failures, have targeted centrifuge facilities, missile production sites, and power grids connected to nuclear installations. The campaign reflects growing impatience with stalled diplomatic efforts, including the faltering revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Inside the Covert Operations

The reported attacks span multiple Iranian provinces, including Isfahan and Natanz, where key nuclear enrichment sites are located. In one operation detailed in the report, an Emirati-operated drone, launched from a remote base in eastern Oman, delivered an explosive payload to a power substation feeding the Natanz uranium enrichment plant, causing a temporary shutdown. In another incident, a cyberattack believed to be jointly developed by UAE and Israeli teams disrupted control systems at the Fordow underground facility, leading to the destruction of dozens of centrifuges. The UAE has also allegedly used mercenary groups, including former members of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force and British SAS, to conduct surveillance and sabotage missions near Iran’s southern ports. While neither the UAE nor Israel has officially acknowledged involvement, U.S. intelligence intercepts and satellite imagery reviewed by the WSJ suggest Emirati fingerprints on several key operations.

Roots of Escalation and Strategic Calculus

The UAE’s shift toward offensive covert action stems from a confluence of regional threats and strategic reassessment. Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program, its support for proxy militias in Yemen and Iraq, and repeated attacks on Gulf shipping lanes have heightened Emirati fears of encirclement. Moreover, the 2019 sabotage of oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz—blamed on Iran by the U.S. and its allies—marked a turning point in Abu Dhabi’s security posture. Internal discussions within the UAE’s National Security Council, as described by sources familiar with the deliberations, emphasized the need for ‘preemptive deterrence’ rather than passive defense. Analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies note that the UAE’s acquisition of advanced drone technology, including Chinese and U.S.-made systems, has enabled it to project power beyond its borders. This covert campaign also aligns with a broader trend of Gulf states building independent military capabilities, reducing reliance on Western powers whose commitments are seen as increasingly uncertain.

Regional Fallout and Civilian Risks

The implications of these covert operations extend far beyond bilateral tensions. Escalation risks are significant: Iran could respond with retaliatory strikes against UAE infrastructure, including Dubai’s financial hubs or Abu Dhabi’s oil terminals. There is also concern that such shadow warfare erodes norms of state conduct and increases the likelihood of miscalculation. Civilians in both countries could bear the brunt of any open conflict, particularly in densely populated urban centers. The UAE’s actions may also strain its relationships with European partners and the United States, which has urged restraint despite sharing intelligence on Iranian activities. Furthermore, the use of private military contractors introduces accountability gaps, raising legal and ethical questions under international law. As covert operations blur the lines between espionage and armed conflict, the region edges closer to a point where a single incident could trigger a broader conflagration.

Expert Perspectives

Security analysts are divided on the efficacy and wisdom of the UAE’s covert campaign. Some, like Dr. Barbara Slavin of the Atlantic Council, argue that ‘targeted disruption of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure may delay their weapons timeline, but it won’t eliminate the underlying threat.’ Others, such as Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute, warn that ‘these actions deepen cycles of retaliation and make diplomatic solutions harder to achieve.’ Intelligence experts also note that while sabotage can cause short-term setbacks, Iran has demonstrated a remarkable ability to rebuild and adapt its programs. The lack of transparency surrounding these operations further complicates public oversight and accountability, especially in democracies that may indirectly support such efforts through intelligence sharing.

Looking ahead, the sustainability of this covert strategy remains uncertain. Will Iran choose to expose and retaliate, or absorb the blows to avoid all-out war? How will the U.S. navigate its dual role as security partner and advocate for de-escalation? And can diplomatic channels, such as indirect nuclear talks, regain momentum amid escalating shadow warfare? As Gulf states assert greater military autonomy, the region enters a volatile new phase where the rules of engagement are unwritten and the risks of unintended conflict have never been higher.

Source: Reuters