Saudi and UAE conducted covert strikes during US-Israel war on Iran

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Western and regional reports allege that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates conducted covert retaliatory strikes on Iran during the recent US-Israel-linked conflict, marking a notable escalation in Gulf participation. 

The reports suggest these actions reflect a broader cycle of escalation that further destabilizes an already fragile regional security environment.

According to accounts cited by Reuters, Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia conducted undisclosed air operations targeting Iranian territory in what officials described as retaliatory “tit-for-tat” responses to strikes on Saudi infrastructure. 

These actions, reportedly carried out in late March by the Saudi Air Force, have not been officially acknowledged by Riyadh.

The reports suggest this marks the first confirmed instance of Saudi direct military action on Iranian soil, reflecting a shift from its traditional reliance on US security guarantees toward unilateral military responses. 

Iranian officials, however, view the developments as part of a broader pattern of external pressure aligned with US-Israeli strategic objectives in the region.

Separately, the United Arab Emirates is also alleged to have participated in covert strikes against Iran before and after the brief ceasefire period, according to Bloomberg reporting. 

In at least one case, UAE operations were reportedly coordinated with Israel, including intelligence sharing and target alignment, particularly during strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

Further reporting from the Wall Street Journal and other sources indicates that Emirati-linked actions may have included operations near Iranian strategic sites such as Lavan Island, while Israeli military support systems were reportedly deployed in coordination with Gulf partners during the wider confrontation.

Throughout the conflict, Iran faced sustained missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region, while maintaining defensive operations against US-Israeli military campaigns targeting its nuclear and missile infrastructure. 

Iranian officials have described the broader escalation as part of an effort to weaken the country through coordinated external pressure, while Tehran has continued to emphasize its right to respond to aggression.

Despite the covert strikes, diplomatic backchannels between Tehran and Riyadh remained active. Iranian and Western officials cited by Reuters said Saudi Arabia eventually communicated details of the attacks to Iran, which led to rapid diplomatic engagement and a tacit understanding to prevent further escalation.

Analysts note that while Gulf states publicly advocate de-escalation, their alleged participation in covert military activity reflects a deeper contradiction in regional policy, particularly as Saudi Arabia continues to balance its security dependence on Washington with efforts to stabilize relations with Tehran.

A China-brokered rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023 had previously restored diplomatic ties and reduced tensions, but the latest developments highlight how quickly regional détente can be undermined during periods of US-Israeli military escalation.

Iranian officials have framed the recent events as evidence of coordinated pressure campaigns rather than isolated defensive responses by Gulf states. 

At the same time, Saudi and Emirati authorities have maintained that their primary objective remains deterrence and protection of national infrastructure amid ongoing regional instability.

The latest disclosures underscore the fragile nature of the current ceasefire environment and raise further questions about the role of Gulf allies in broader US-Israel regional military strategies, particularly as indirect and covert engagements increasingly shape the trajectory of the conflict.