Iran War Update: UAE Involved Militarily as Trump Says Ceasefire Collapsing
The United Arab Emirates has carried out military strikes on Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. The involvement of the UAE would represent a significant shift in the balance of the war, bringing a well‑armed Gulf Arab state directly into combat against Iran.
The reporting comes as President Donald Trump warned Monday that the ceasefire with Iran is "on life support," raising fears that the 10‑week‑old conflict could intensify after a brief, fragile pause.
Why It Matters
The war has already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Renewed fighting, especially if the UAE's involvement becomes public, could further paralyze energy flows and raise economic pressure on U.S. allies.
Trump's public dismissal of Iran's response to a U.S. peace proposal over the weekend adds to the uncertainty, signaling that diplomatic efforts may be losing ground.
What to Know
According to the Wall Street Journal, the UAE carried out a series of military strikes against Iran that it has not publicly acknowledged, including an early April attack on a refinery on Iran's Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. The strike sparked a major fire and knocked much of the facility's capacity offline for months, people familiar with the matter told the Journal.
Iran described the blast at the time as an enemy attack and responded with a barrage of missile and drone strikes against the UAE and Kuwait. Iranian forces have targeted the Emirates heavily during the war, launching more than 2,800 missiles and drones at UAE territory, according to the Journal-more than at any other country.
The sustained attacks have disrupted air traffic, tourism, and real estate in the Emirates and triggered layoffs, prompting what Gulf officials describe as a fundamental shift in Abu Dhabi's strategic outlook. The UAE now views Iran as a rogue actor threatening its economic model and internal stability.
The U.S. was not opposed and has quietly welcomed the UAE's participation, according to people familiar with the matter cited by the Journal. Pentagon and White House officials declined to comment to the paper directly on the strikes.
Trump, meanwhile, said Monday that the ceasefire was "on life support" after rejecting Iran's response to a U.S. proposal aimed at restarting negotiations. Tehran's reply called for compensation for war damage, an end to sanctions, recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a guarantee of no further attacks, and the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade on Iran’s ports.
What Happens Next
Diplomatic pressure is expected to intensify in the coming days as Washington weighs whether to continue pursuing negotiations or prepare for a prolonged conflict involving additional regional actors.
Gulf states are also likely to reassess their roles, with analysts warning that Iran may attempt to deepen divisions among Arab monarchies even as fighting threatens to spill further across the region.
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM.