UAE made failed attempt to get Saudi Arabia, Qatar to jointly attack Iran: Report

UAE made failed attempt to get Saudi Arabia, Qatar to jointly attack Iran: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 17:10 UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed lobbied Gulf leaders to coordinate an attack on Iran UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan meeting with a US Republican senator at Qasr al-Shati in Abu Dhabi, on 18 February 2026 (Abdullah al-Neyadi/UAE presidential court/AFP) Off The UAE made a failed bid to convince Saudi Arabia and Qatar to launch a joint military response to Iran’s attacks on the Gulf, Bloomberg reported on Friday. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed held a series of calls with Gulf leaders, including Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, shortly after the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded by launching thousands of missiles and drones at the Gulf states. The UAE, which normalised ties with Israel in 2021 under the Arab Accords, bore the brunt of the retaliation with almost 3,000 missiles and drones striking the country. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Gulf leaders rebuffed Mohamed bin Zayed’s request for a coordinated Gulf attack on Iran. The report underscores how the war on Iran has deepened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as opposed to uniting the Gulf rivals around a common enemy. It has now been reported that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE launched retaliatory strikes on Iran, but did so independently. Saudi Arabia’s strikes have been described by analysts as measured, and the kingdom quickly pivoted to supporting mediation efforts by its ally Pakistan. In contrast, the UAE targeted Iranian energy sites. The Wall Street Journal reported the UAE hit Iran’s Lavan Island i...

Original source: Middle East Eye