There are reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carried out a direct attack on Iran. Analysts say the UAE, which suffered heavy damage from the war between the United States and Iran, is signaling its willingness to take military action to protect its economic power and influence.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 11th (local time), citing sources, that the UAE carried out a military strike against Iran.

According to the sources, the UAE attacked a refinery facility on Lavan Island in southern Iran early last month. A large fire broke out at the time, and much of the facility was reportedly damaged, halting operations. The attack occurred after the 7th of last month, when Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week cease-fire.

Iran claimed at the time that the refinery had “come under enemy attack” and carried out retaliatory strikes with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) against the UAE and Kuwait.

A source said that because the cease-fire had not fully taken hold at the time, the United States was not displeased by the attack and, if anything, was inclined to welcome the participation of Gulf states such as the UAE.

There had already been repeated indications that the UAE was becoming involved in the war against Iran. In mid-March, a fighter jet that did not appear to belong to the United States or Israel was photographed over Iran. The aircraft were believed to be a French-made Mirage fighter used by the UAE and a Chinese-made Wing Loong drone.

On the 4th of last month, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency raised the possibility that a drone shot down over Iran could have belonged to the UAE or Saudi Arabia, reporting that “several actors in the region are not only supporting the U.S. operation against Iran but also heightening tensions.”

H. A. Hellyer, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK think tank, said, “Since Iran attacked its territory, the UAE sees the regional situation as having changed dramatically,” adding, “Although the UAE has not acknowledged striking Iran, from the early days of the war it appeared only a matter of time before multiple Gulf states became actively involved.”

The UAE operates Mirage and F-16 fighter jets, aerial refueling aircraft, command and control planes, and reconnaissance drones, and is known to possess a capable air force.

The UAE is among the countries that have suffered the most damage in this war. Since the war began, it is said to have come under more than 2,800 missile and drone attacks, a figure higher than the number of attacks on Israel. The war’s fallout has also dealt a heavy blow to the UAE’s tourism and real estate markets. Experts predict that the economic damage to Gulf countries such as the UAE will persist even after the conflict ends.

The UAE refused to answer questions about the alleged strike on the Lavan Island refinery but reiterated its position that it has “the right to respond to hostile acts.”

Experts note that as the UAE makes its willingness to intervene militarily more explicit, regional tensions could escalate further. Middle East analyst Dina Esfandiary told the WSJ that “it is highly significant that a Gulf state, as a party to the war, has directly attacked Iran,” adding, “Iran will now seek to stoke frictions between the UAE and other Gulf states that have moved to mediate an end to the war.”