US Officials Urge UAE To Seize Iran’s Lavan Island In Gulf

Several American officials are urging the United Arab Emirates to seize one of Iran's strategic islands in the Gulf, according to a report by The Telegraph cited by اسلام تايمز.

“Senior officials in the administration of Donald Trump encouraged the United Arab Emirates to take a more direct role in the conflict with Iran and capture one of its islands in the Persian Gulf, according to a report by The Telegraph”

Middle East Eye

The proposal, as described by Middle East Eye, centers on the UAE taking control of Lavan Island, which it said had been targeted in covert Emirati strikes in early April.

Middle East Eye

Middle East Eye quotes a senior official telling the British newspaper, "Go take them!" and adding, "It would be Emirati boots on the ground instead of American ones."

Islam تايمز says the push is tied to deeper Emirati involvement in the US-Israeli war on Iran, with the source telling The Telegraph, "It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US."

Islam تايمز says Iran has responded by striking Israeli targets and US military facilities across West Asia, while also warning that any country hosting enemy forces or allowing its territory to be used for attacks will be considered a legitimate military target.

The same source says Tehran has struck Emirati infrastructure in retaliation, including airports, oil facilities, and the area around Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

The Economic Times

Islam تايمز also reports continued denial from the United Arab Emirates about claims that Netanyahu visited the country, quoting the UAE Foreign Ministry: “The UAE denies what is being circulated regarding a visit by the Israeli Prime Minister or the reception of an Israeli military delegation.”

In a separate account, شبكة يافا الإخبارية says The Telegraph reported U.S. officials were pressuring the UAE to deepen direct military involvement against Iran, including taking ground control of the strategic Iranian island of Lavan in the Arabian Gulf.

شبكة يافا الإخبارية says The Telegraph described the ongoing 11-week conflict as having shifted Abu Dhabi's posture, leading it to solidify a trilateral alliance with Washington and Tel Aviv.

“Looking for a solution from outside”

ynetglobal

The same source says the report highlighted defense ties including the deployment of Iron Dome batteries to intercept Iranian strikes, alongside rumors of a secret visit by Benjamin Netanyahu to Abu Dhabi last March.

ynetnews adds that experts speaking with The Telegraph said Iran’s aggression against Gulf states during the war is accelerating a realignment and could create a counter-axis against Tehran, while also quoting Barbara Leaf that "the longer this is going on, the more time they’ve had to reflect about their place in the world".

ynetnews further states that the UAE quickly denied a reported visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and it says the UAE has borne the brunt of Tehran’s aggression with more than 2,800 missiles and drones launched at it since the war began.