American officials linked to the Trump administration are reportedly encouraging the United Arab Emirates to take a more active role in the conflict with Iran and seize one of Tehran’s Gulf islands, according to information cited by The Telegraph.

A former senior U.S. security official reportedly claimed that the Emiratis may have secretly struck military targets on Lavan Island in early April, while officials close to President Donald Trump were urging them to attempt to seize it.

“Go and take it from them!” the former official reportedly said.
“The UAE will put boots on the ground instead of the United States,” he added.

The reported encouragement comes amid revelations about the UAE’s increasing involvement in the 11-week conflict and its deepening ties with Israel. Analysts believe the war, along with Iran’s heavy attacks against the Gulf state, has accelerated a dramatic geopolitical realignment in the Middle East.

The UAE’s “9/11” moment and Saudi Arabia’s refusal

The UAE has reportedly borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliation following U.S. and Israeli strikes, with more than 2,800 missiles and drones allegedly targeting the region. The attacks were described as a “9/11 moment” for the Emirates, forcing the country to reassess both its defense strategy and its place in the world.

As a result, the UAE further strengthened relations with the United States and Israel, while ties with neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia have reportedly become more uncertain. The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC in early May — where Saudi Arabia traditionally plays a dominant role — reinforced perceptions of growing Emirati independence.

Earlier in the conflict, the Emiratis reportedly asked Saudi Arabia and Qatar to join retaliatory actions against Iran, but both countries declined.

In early April, the UAE is said to have attacked several Iranian targets, including Lavan Island, though it never officially confirmed the strikes. Saudi Arabia also reportedly carried out attacks against Iran, according to The New York Times, but independently of the Emiratis.

Strengthening relations with Israel

At the same time, relations between the UAE and Israel — normalized under the Abraham Accords in 2020 — reportedly deepened during the conflict.

According to reports, Israel supplied the UAE with Iron Dome air-defense systems to counter Iranian attacks, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have secretly visited Abu Dhabi in March.

Iran responded by labeling the UAE an “active partner in aggression,” while Emirati officials stated that the country reserves all sovereign, legal, diplomatic, and military rights necessary to confront any threat or hostile act.

Why Lavan Island matters

Lavan Island, located in the southern Persian Gulf, is a key hub for Iran’s oil and gas industry. Covering approximately 78 square kilometers, it hosts one of Iran’s four main crude oil export terminals and sits above the Lavan gas field, estimated to contain 9.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Development of the gas field began in 2008 through four investment projects worth $461 million. Industrial activity on the island dates back to the late 1950s, when the National Iranian Oil Company established the Lavan Oil Refining Company, originally known as the Lavan Distillery Complex.

Initially, the refinery processed 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day as a subsidiary of the Shiraz refinery. Following the Iranian Revolution and given the island’s strategic importance, expansion and modernization projects were launched.

Today, the Lavan refinery processes around 55,000 barrels of crude oil daily, transported to the island via pipeline from offshore facilities, while also refining 20,000 barrels of natural gas from the South Pars field.

Historically known as “Sheikh Shoeyb” or the “Hidden Pearl,” Lavan Island is not only home to one of Iran’s largest oil refineries but also serves as a crucial base for offshore energy operations. The island additionally supports a small local population of around 2,000 residents and unique wildlife.