2026 Lavan Island attack
| 2026 Lavan Island attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2026 Iran war | |
Locations within Iran | |
| Type | Airstrikes |
| Location | |
| Planned by | United Arab Emirates |
| Target | Iranian oil facility |
| Date | 8 April 2026 10:00 a.m. IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| Executed by | United Arab Emirates Air Force |
| Outcome | Oil output at the facility crippled |
| Casualties | None |
On 8 April 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) secretly conducted an airstrike on an Iranian oil refinery at Lavan Island around the time the 2026 Iran war ceasefire was being announced, in retaliation for the 2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates.[1] Although the perpetrator was initially unknown, The Wall Street Journal later reported that the UAE was responsible for the attack. The UAE has not publicly acknowledged the strikes.[2]
Background
Since the beginning of the 2026 Iran war, sparked by airstrikes on Iran carried out by the United States and Israel, the United Arab Emirates had been repeatedly attacked by Iranian missile and drone attacks. The attacks targeted the UAE more than any other country, which caused severe damage to energy facilities, airports, and hotels, as well as killing at least 10 civilians. Iran repeatedly condemned the UAE for its close ties with Israel and its hosting of U.S. bases on its territory. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned the UAE of "dangerous consequences" unless it pulled away from the United States and Israel.[3] The UAE doubled down on its ties with the United States and Israel, and has received Israeli military support against Iranian attacks, including Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.[4][5]
Attack
On 8 April 2026, at around 10 a.m. IRST (6:30 a.m. GMT), the oil facility at Lavan Island was targeted in an "enemy attack" which caused no casualties, according to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company. Israel denied involvement in the attack, and no party claimed responsibility.[6] The attack took place "around the time" U.S. President Donald Trump was "announcing a cease-fire in the war."[7] Safety and firefighting teams worked to contain the fire. The attack sparked a large fire at the oil facility and was expected to leave its output crippled for months. At the time of the attack, Iran reported that its oil facility was struck by enemy fire, but did not name the source. It attacked the UAE and Kuwait with missile and drone attacks in response.[8][7]
Some military analysts and Iranian state media identified United Arab Emirates Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jets as having launched the attack, and while the UAE confirmed that Mirage jets were scrambled to intercept Iranian drones, it did not confirm or deny reports that they attacked Lavan Island.[9][10]
On 11 May 2026, citing "people familiar with the matter," The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported that the United Arab Emirates had been secretly carrying out military strikes in Iran in coordination with Israel, which included the attack on Lavan Island.[2][11]
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the strikes, but affirmed that it reserves the right to respond to hostile attacks, including militarily.[2]
Reactions
On 14 May, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the UAE for being "directly involved in the aggressive action against my country" and said that "they participated in these attacks and may even have acted directly against us."[5]
According to The Telegraph, Trump administration officials have been encouraging the UAE to increase its involvement in the Iran war and seize Lavan Island using its military.[12]
References
- ^ "UAE secretly launched strikes on Iran during war, attacked oil refinery — report". The Times of Israel. 2026-05-12. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ a b c Holliday, Shelby; Said, Summer (2026-05-11). "The U.A.E. Has Been Secretly Carrying Out Attacks on Iran". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ Baskar, Pranav; Reiss, Johnatan (2026-05-13). "Israel Says Netanyahu Made a Secret Trip to U.A.E., Which Says He Didn't". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ Rasgon, Adam (2026-05-01). "Israel Said to Have Helped Defend Emirates in Iran War With Iron Dome". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ a b Schmitt, Eric; Nereim, Vivian (14 May 2026). "Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. Carried Out Secret Attacks in Iran, U.S. Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ "Iranian Oil Refining Company confirms attack on Lavan refinery, Shana reports". Reuters. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ^ a b "UAE attacked Iran last month: WSJ". The New Arab. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ^ "UAE launched secret retaliatory attacks on Iran's oil refinery: report". 2026-05-12. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ "UAE Mirage jets suspected in post-ceasefire strike on Iranian refinery". Türkiye Today. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ^ "Iran says Lavan refinery hit in attack, no casualties reported". Iran International. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ^ Dagher, Sam; MacDonald, Fiona (12 May 2026). "UAE Said to Have Hit Iran Earlier in War as Israel Ties Grow". Bloomberg. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ^ Farmer, Ben (16 May 2026). "Trump's officials tell UAE to seize crucial Iranian island". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 May 2026.