Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have carried out secret strikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks linked to the ongoing regional war, in what would mark the first known direct military action by the two Gulf states against Tehran, The New York Times reported.
The newspaper, citing two current and one former senior U.S. officials, said the strikes were conducted without public announcement and reflected a growing willingness by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to respond directly to Iranian attacks targeting Gulf countries during the conflict.
Neither Saudi Arabia nor the United Arab Emirates has publicly acknowledged carrying out attacks on Iranian territory. Both countries have repeatedly maintained that their role in the conflict has been defensive, despite hosting major American military facilities.
According to the report, the escalation followed weeks of Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran earlier this year. Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets were among the main targets of Tehran’s retaliation campaign.
Iranian attacks reportedly caused damage to oil infrastructure, airports, hotels, and military installations in several Gulf states, while also disrupting commercial activity and raising concerns over regional stability.
The New York Times report suggested that the Saudi and Emirati responses marked a major shift in Gulf security policy, particularly after years in which both countries attempted to reduce tensions with Tehran through diplomatic engagement.
Saudi Arabia had restored diplomatic relations with Iran in 2023 through a China-brokered agreement, while the UAE also pursued closer communication channels with Tehran in an effort to avoid direct confrontation.
However, the ongoing war appears to have weakened that fragile détente. Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia carried out covert strikes on Iranian territory in late March after repeated attacks on Saudi infrastructure and civilian facilities.
The UAE was also reported to have adopted a more aggressive posture during the conflict, with reports suggesting Emirati forces targeted Iranian facilities following large-scale drone and missile attacks against the federation.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously hinted at Gulf participation in the confrontation with Iran, saying in March that regional allies were “fighting with us.”
Trump also specifically referred to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during remarks in Washington, suggesting Riyadh had aligned itself with the broader American strategy against Iran.
Despite the reports, Gulf governments have remained cautious about publicly embracing direct military involvement against Iran, amid fears that doing so could trigger additional retaliatory attacks and inflame domestic tensions across the region.
Saudi officials had nevertheless warned during the conflict that the kingdom reserved the right to defend its territory and economic interests if Iranian attacks continued.
Iran, for its part, has accused several Gulf countries of supporting American and Israeli military operations in the region, warning that any state involved in attacks against the Islamic republic would face consequences.
