ISLAMABAD: Senior advisors close to US President Donald Trump are actively encouraging the United Arab Emirates to deepen its military role in the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.

They have specifically suggested that UAE forces seize Lavan Island, a critical Iranian asset in the Persian Gulf.

The Telegraph reported the development on 17 May, citing sources with direct knowledge of the discussions.

Lavan Island hosts one of Iran’s four major crude oil export terminals and a significant natural gas field.

Control of the island would deliver a severe blow to Iran’s energy exports and overall war economy.

“Go take ’em!” one former senior Trump security official told the British newspaper.

The official stressed that UAE boots on the ground would be preferable to direct American involvement.

This suggestion marks a significant escalation in efforts to draw Gulf allies deeper into the conflict.

The UAE reportedly conducted secret airstrikes on Lavan Island in early April, according to the same source.

These strikes occurred amid the broader US-Israeli campaign that began on 28 February.

Since then, the UAE has aligned itself more closely with Washington and Tel Aviv.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump launched the operation targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.

Iran responded with fierce retaliation aimed at Gulf states supporting the attacks.

The Islamic Republic launched more than 2,800 missiles and drones toward Emirati targets.

UAE air defense systems intercepted a large number of these projectiles.

Yet the scale of the assault created what The Telegraph described as a “September 11 moment” for the UAE leadership.

Iranian strikes caused limited physical damage but generated widespread alarm across the federation.

Oil facilities and urban centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai faced heightened alerts during the barrage.

The attacks disrupted commercial flights and triggered emergency protocols in key economic zones.

Regional energy markets reacted sharply to the exchanges.

Brent crude prices surged in the immediate aftermath, reflecting fears over Persian Gulf shipping lanes.

Lavan Island’s strategic value cannot be overstated.

It processes hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude daily and supports associated gas operations vital to Iran’s revenue.

Any successful seizure would choke a key export route and force Iran to redirect remaining terminals under greater risk.

UAE officials have maintained public silence on the reported suggestions and past strikes.

However, diplomatic sources indicate growing frustration in Abu Dhabi over Iranian retaliation.

The UAE views the missile and drone campaign as a direct threat to its sovereignty and economic model.

Since the war’s outbreak, Emirati forces have enhanced coordination with US Central Command assets.

Joint exercises and intelligence sharing have intensified along the Gulf coastline.

Trump’s inner circle sees the UAE as a capable proxy for operations that Washington wishes to avoid committing troops to.

This approach mirrors earlier patterns of burden-sharing with regional partners.

Iranian state media has vowed harsh responses to any ground incursion on its territory.

Tehran has repeatedly warned Gulf states against becoming launchpads or participants in attacks.

The Persian Gulf remains one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints.

Nearly 20 percent of global oil trade passes through its waters daily.

Any direct UAE operation on Lavan would likely trigger wider naval confrontations.

Shipping insurance rates have already climbed amid the conflict.

Major Asian economies dependent on Gulf crude are monitoring developments with concern.

Pakistan, too, watches closely given its own energy imports and expatriate population in the UAE.

The war that began on 28 February has reshaped alliances across West Asia.

Israel and the United States have conducted sustained strikes on Iranian military sites.

Iran has mobilized proxy networks and launched direct attacks in response.

Casualty figures remain fluid, but civilian impacts in border regions have mounted.

The UAE’s potential deeper involvement carries substantial risks.

Iran possesses the ability to target Emirati infrastructure with precision-guided systems.

Previous waves of attacks demonstrated Tehran’s reach despite defensive systems.

Economic consequences for the UAE could prove severe.

The federation hosts massive foreign investment and serves as a global logistics hub.

Any prolonged conflict would threaten tourism, aviation, and banking sectors.

Yet some Emirati strategists reportedly see opportunity in weakening Iran’s regional influence permanently.

The reported Trump advisor suggestion reflects a calculated strategy.

By encouraging UAE action, Washington aims to maintain pressure on Iran without expanding direct US footprint.

This fits President Trump’s stated preference for allies to shoulder more security burdens.

Timelines for any potential operation remain unclear.

Military planners would need to assess Iranian defensive capabilities on Lavan and surrounding waters.

Naval support from US assets could prove decisive in any such scenario.

The coming weeks may reveal whether these discussions translate into concrete action.

Diplomatic channels between Gulf states and Iran have largely frozen since late February.

Backchannel talks through intermediaries have failed to de-escalate tensions.

The broader conflict has already redrawn security equations from the Levant to the Gulf.

For the UAE, the choice involves balancing immediate threats against long-term strategic gains.

Iran’s retaliation demonstrated its willingness to strike Gulf targets when provoked.

Further escalation could transform localized clashes into a region-wide confrontation.

Energy security for Pakistan and other South Asian nations hangs in the balance.

Higher oil prices and potential supply disruptions would strain import-dependent economies.

Remittances from Gulf expatriates could face pressure if conflict expands.

Regional analysts note the high stakes involved in targeting sovereign Iranian territory.

Such a move would cross a threshold few Gulf states have previously contemplated.

The reported airstrikes in April already signaled shifting red lines.

Whether full seizure follows depends on calculations in Abu Dhabi, Washington, and Tel Aviv.

As the war enters its fourth month, pressure for decisive actions continues to build.

The Persian Gulf stands at a dangerous crossroads with global implications.