Report: Saudi Arabia, UAE launched retaliatory strikes on Iran

TEHRAN - Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates carried out separate strikes inside Iran during the war in the Middle East in retaliation for Iranian attacks on their territory, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing current and former senior U.S. officials.

The report said it was the first time the two Arab states had directly attacked Iran. The officials did not provide details on the timing of the separate operations or the targets that were hit.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE confirmed the strikes.

During the recent war with the United States and Israel, Iran repeatedly attacked targets in both Gulf countries, causing significant damage. The U.S. military maintains bases in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have long competed for influence in the region, with their rivalry also shaped by sectarian tensions between Sunni Islam in Saudi Arabia and Shiite Islam in Iran.

Relations between the UAE and Iran have also been strained. The UAE is a key U.S. ally and has in recent years normalized ties with Israel, Iran's arch-enemy.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 11:09 PM.