It’s been little noticed by the media, but ever since the beginning of the Iran War, Arab countries have been quietly, but not secretly, coordinating with Israel.
The UAE, for instance, has Israeli advisors on the ground who are helping with air defense, and an Iron Dome battery is based in the UAE. During the 12-Day War, several Arab countries shot down Iranian drones aimed at Israel.
🇮🇱🤝🇦🇪 An Israeli air defense system deployed to the UAE was used to intercept an Iranian missile today, CNN reports.
It was recently reported that Israel deployed at least one Iron Dome battery and dozens of IDF operators to the UAE at the beginning of the latest conflict with… pic.twitter.com/PJlmfQ7p3j
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) May 4, 2026
🇮🇱🤝🇦🇪 An Israeli air defense system deployed to the UAE was used to intercept an Iranian missile today, CNN reports.
It was recently reported that Israel deployed at least one Iron Dome battery and dozens of IDF operators to the UAE at the beginning of the latest conflict with Iran.
And now, the UAE has made clear that they are entering the kinetic side of the war, and are coordinating with Israel and presumably the United States, and are not hiding their cooperation with Israel in the least.
🇮🇷 The Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General tonight condemned Iran’s attacks on the UAE as “serious aggression.” Specifically calling out the strike on an ADNOC tanker as piracy.
85% of all Iranian missiles and drones fired since February 28 have landed on GCC territory.… https://t.co/Syhfvk33xn pic.twitter.com/UB2UO7UTPH
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 4, 2026
🇮🇷 The Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General tonight condemned Iran’s attacks on the UAE as “serious aggression.” Specifically calling out the strike on an ADNOC tanker as piracy.
85% of all Iranian missiles and drones fired since February 28 have landed on GCC territory.
The countries Iran calls neighbors.
While the media portrays this war as primarily the US and Israel against Iran, most of the strikes that Iran has made have been against the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. During the 12-Day war, Iran not only struck Israel, but also Qatar, which has a US base.
🚨 UPDATE: A FIRE was spotted breaking out in the UAE’s oil industry zone Fujairah after an Iranian drone attack
Iran is lashing out, which is proof President Trump has them FURIOUS that freedom of movement will be restored in the Strait of Hormuz
They’ll NEVER win this. pic.twitter.com/hmsIFTlhVe
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 4, 2026
The UAE has borne the brunt of the attacks and is clearly out of patience.
🇦🇪🇮🇷 The UAE is done playing nice.
After Iran targeted UAE soil today, this leading UAE commentator made the country’s position crystal clear: Threats to its people, sovereignty, or global trade will be met “by power, by force, and by international law.”
If the UAE starts… https://t.co/D5DL0UkBym pic.twitter.com/f23loDXNVi
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 4, 2026
Iran has fired upon and damaged a UAE oil tanker and an oil facility in the country today, and has inched up to the line of declaring war on Iran. They are already in a de facto war, but the UAE has yet to strike back with its considerable air force, and it could start at any moment.
🇮🇷🇦🇪 BREAKING: Iranian drones have struck the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the UAE. Major fire now burning on site.
Fujairah is not a random target. It’s the UAE’s primary oil export terminal on the Gulf of Oman, the only major UAE port that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz… https://t.co/Q3b0cru1jC pic.twitter.com/wITU8VtfcN
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 4, 2026
It’s unclear as of now how well-regarded the UAE’s alignment with Israel will be taken in other Arab countries, although all of these countries are implicitly cooperating with Israel to some extent. Israel remains a touchy subject in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, although there are indications that the former will join the Abraham Accords in due time.
A senior UAE official told Israel the country did not intend to remain silent about the attacks, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.
“The Iranian regime has begun attacking us – we will strike back,” the official said, according to Channel 12.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) May 4, 2026
The UAE is clearly disenchanted with its fellow GCC countries for what it sees as weak responses.
And speaking of weak responses, the EU has put out a strongly worded tweet about the attacks on the UAE.
Today, our partner, the UAE, was once again the target of a vicious missiles and drone attacks originating from Iran.
I extend my full solidarity to @MohamedBinZayed, the people of the UAE, and our partners across the Middle East.
These attacks are unacceptable and constitute a…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 4, 2026
Today, our partner, the UAE, was once again the target of a vicious missiles and drone attacks originating from Iran.
I extend my full solidarity to @MohamedBinZayed, the people of the UAE, and our partners across the Middle East.
These attacks are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of sovereignty and international law.
Security in the region has direct consequences for Europe.
So we will keep working closely with our partners on de-escalation and diplomatic resolution, to bring an end to the Iranian regime’s brutal actions.
Both against its neighbors and its own people.
The UAE has a formidable air force, with over 130 strike aircraft, although we can assume an availability rate of about half that strength. If the country coordinates airstrikes with Israel and the United States, that is a considerable strike capability, even if the pilots are hardly as proficient as either country’s.
Statement | Qatar Strongly Condemns Targeting of UAE ADNOC Tanker while Transiting Strait of Hormuz
Doha | May 04, 2026
The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Iranian attack that targeted an Emirati tanker operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), which was struck… pic.twitter.com/mqZ5mt3lyd
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) May 4, 2026
Statement | Qatar Strongly Condemns Targeting of UAE ADNOC Tanker while Transiting Strait of Hormuz
Doha | May 04, 2026
The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Iranian attack that targeted an Emirati tanker operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), which was struck by two drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and the principle of freedom of maritime navigation, as well as a flagrant breach of Security Council Resolution No. 2817.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar’s categorical rejection of using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of pressure, calling for its unconditional reopening and affirming that freedom of navigation in this vital waterway is a firmly established principle that must not be compromised. It adds that the continued closure of the Strait would jeopardize the vital interests of countries in the region.
The Ministry stresses the need to halt unjustified Iranian attacks on the property of fraternal states, reaffirming the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support for all measures it may take to safeguard its assets.
It is possible that today’s attacks on the UAE are intended to create a rift among the GCC states, especially following the UAE’s exit from OPEC. Qatar’s recent condemnation of the Iranian attacks suggests that this is unlikely.
Things are getting interesting again.
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump issued a STRONG warning to Iran saying that if they target US ships near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will be “BLOWN OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH”
There have been MULTIPLE attempts on US ships today in the Persian Gulf, per CENTCOM Commander Cooper. pic.twitter.com/ic2zj4BuRn
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 4, 2026
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