ISLAMABAD: Iranian state media has dramatically claimed that the United Arab Emirates has actively joined the war against Iran, presenting what it describes as documentary evidence of direct military participation.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, or IRIB, posted on social media platform X that two specific incidents establish UAE involvement in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
On April 1, Iranian forces reportedly destroyed a Chinese-made Wing Loong-2 drone, a model exclusively operated in the region by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to Tehran.
Iranian officials highlighted that neither the United States nor Israel fields this particular drone variant, making its presence over Iranian territory a clear sign of Gulf state complicity.
The second piece of alleged evidence involves the detection of an Emirati Mirage 2000 fighter jet conducting operations over Iran’s Jask Island on March 22.
IRIB described these events as undeniable proof that Abu Dhabi has crossed from hosting foreign bases to active belligerence on Iranian soil.
Regional analysts note that the Wing Loong-2, often compared to the American MQ-9 Reaper for its reconnaissance and strike capabilities, has been supplied by China to several Gulf nations.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have each acquired dozens of these systems in recent years for operations in Yemen and beyond.
Open-source intelligence reports confirm that wreckage near Shiraz matched the Wing Loong-2 profile after Iranian air defences engaged the target.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei publicly demanded explanations from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, attaching images of the downed drone debris.
He framed the incident as potential evidence of “active complicity” in aggression and war crimes against Iran.
No immediate official response has emerged from the UAE government regarding these specific accusations.
The claims arrive amid a broader escalation in which Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf targets, including facilities in the UAE.
UAE air defences have reportedly intercepted over 498 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles, and more than 2,000 UAVs since the conflict intensified, resulting in several military and civilian casualties.
Iran has separately claimed strikes on US-linked sites within Emirati territory, including aluminium production facilities and radar installations.
These developments have raised fears of a widening regional war that could engulf the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies.
The UAE, heavily reliant on maritime trade, has pushed for international action to reopen the strait, according to diplomatic sources.
Tehran accuses Abu Dhabi of allowing its territory to serve as a launchpad for operations against Iranian infrastructure.
Independent verification of the IRIB claims remains limited, as major international outlets have reported the accusations without full confirmation of operational details.
However, the downing of the Wing Loong-2 has sparked discussion among defence analysts about possible direct Gulf involvement in surveillance or strike missions inside Iran.
The Mirage 2000, a French-origin multirole fighter, forms a key part of the UAE Air Force inventory, with the country operating advanced squadrons equipped for long-range missions.
Jask Island, located in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, hosts strategic naval and air facilities that could be targets or vantage points in any aerial campaign.
Escalation risks have grown as Iran continues retaliatory barrages while Gulf states bolster defences and coordinate with US forces.
The episode underscores deepening fault lines in the Gulf, where longstanding rivalries now intersect with great-power competition.
Observers warn that any confirmed direct combat role by the UAE could trigger further Iranian missile strikes on Emirati cities and economic assets.
Such a shift would transform the conflict from proxy elements to open state-on-state warfare, with profound implications for energy markets and regional stability.
Diplomatic channels remain strained, with no reported de-escalation talks addressing the latest accusations.
Iranian media has used the incidents to rally domestic support and portray the conflict as a broader defence against multiple aggressors.
The absence of a swift UAE rebuttal has fuelled speculation in some circles, though official silence often accompanies sensitive military matters in the region.
Further details may emerge as both sides release additional imagery or statements in the coming days.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with potential for more dramatic revelations as air and missile operations intensify across the Gulf.