"The risk of some Gulf states becoming embroiled in a direct war with Iran has risen after it was reported the United Arab Emirates had secretly launched a major attack on Iran during the conflict. In addition, Kuwait has said that at least four members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been captured trying to carry out terrorist attacks on the Kuwaiti-owned Bubiyan Island, the largest island in the Kuwaiti coastal chain."
"The UAE assault on Iran, which was undertaken as retaliation for Iranian attacks on its facilities, included a strike on Iran's Lazan Island just before the 7 April ceasefire was announced, the Wall Street Journal reported. The news is likely to make the UAE an even clearer target for Iran if the ceasefire is abandoned and the US and Iran restart the conflict."
"Donald Trump said on Monday the ceasefire was hanging by a thread due to Iran's failure to make the concessions he is seeking over its nuclear programme. In the earlier fighting that began on 28 February the UAE had been selected as a target for missile and drone strikes by Iran. It was disproportionately attacked partly due to the severe diplomatic hostility to Iran expressed by the rulers in Dubai."
"The Wall Street Journal report gave details of how that diplomatic hostility extended to military hostility, pointing to images that allegedly showed French Mirage fighter jets and Chinese Wing Long drones (both used by the UAE) operating in Iran. The UAE had hinted around that time that it wanted to mount reprisal operations, and not just defend its oil and port installations."
Reports indicate rising risk of direct war between some Gulf states and Iran following claims that the UAE launched a major attack on Iran during the conflict. Kuwait stated that at least four members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were captured while attempting terrorist attacks on Bubiyan Island. The UAE assault is described as retaliation for Iranian attacks on UAE facilities and included a strike on Iran’s Lazan Island shortly before a 7 April ceasefire. The ceasefire is described as fragile due to Iran’s lack of nuclear concessions sought by Donald Trump. Earlier fighting beginning 28 February reportedly targeted the UAE with missile and drone strikes, with the UAE also facing accusations of involvement in attacks. The UAE has not secured stronger countermeasures from Qatar or Saudi Arabia regarding Iranian attacks and the Hormuz blockade.
#iran-uae-tensions #gulf-security #irgc-operations #ceasefire-and-nuclear-negotiations #hormuz-blockade
Read at www.theguardian.com
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