After the UAE was attacked thousands of times: it returned to Iran where it hurts
According to a report in WSJ, the UAE carried out military attacks in Iran, including hitting a refinery on Lavvan Island in the Persian Gulf, after absorbing more than 2,800 missiles and drones from Tehran
Assessment
The UAE's reported military strikes on Iranian soil mark a significant escalation in the shadow war between Iran and Gulf states. By hitting a refinery on Lavan Island, the UAE signals it will no longer absorb Iranian attacks passively. This shifts the regional balance, potentially drawing the UAE closer to Israel's deterrence posture against Iran. The key question is whether Iran will retaliate directly or through proxies, risking a wider Gulf confrontation.