UAE Air Force Attacks Oil Refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island

The United Arab Emirates secretly launched airstrikes inside Iran, including an attack on an oil refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. The strike caused a major fire and forced the refinery to suspend operations for several months.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the attacks were launched in early April using Western-made fighter jets and drones.

The UAE reportedly conducted the operation in retaliation for Iranian attacks on Emirati infrastructure, during which Tehran launched more than 2,800 missiles and drones at the UAE.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to directly comment on the strikes but referred to its previous statements. The Ministry emphasized a state’s right to respond to hostile acts with military means to defend its security.

Alongside military actions, the UAE restricted Iranian financial activities in Dubai and introduced stricter visa rules for Iranian citizens. It also supported UN resolutions that would allow the use of force to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz if it were blocked.

Separately, Sudan accused Ethiopia and the UAE of aggression after an investigation into a downed Akinci drone.

On March 17, Sudan’s air defense intercepted and shot down one of these drones north of the city of El-Obeid.