conflictThursday, May 14, 20262 sources

Saudi Arabia and UAE Conduct Secret Bombing Raids on Iran in April 2026

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates carried out secret bombing raids on Iran in April 2026, according to reports from France24 and The New York Times. The attacks are alleged to have been a response to Iran's drone and missile strikes on Gulf state infrastructure. U.S. officials confirmed the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the strikes.

France24 and The New York Times reported that Saudi Arabia and the UAE conducted a series of air strikes against Iran during the US-Israeli war against Tehran. The attacks, which neither country has confirmed, are alleged to have been clandestine counterattacks following Iran's drone and missile strikes on Gulf state infrastructure. The New York Times noted that Gulf Arab states are struggling to deter Iran after the war exposed the limits of American security guarantees.

Timelines

US-Iran Confrontation and Geopolitical TensionsUS-Iran Confrontation and Geopolitical Tensions: Military Operations

Sources

IndependentNew York TimesMay 14, 06:41 PM
Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. Carried Out Secret Attacks in Iran, U.S. Officials Say

The Gulf Arab states have been grappling with how to deter Iran after the war made clear the limits of American security guarantees.

PublicFrance 24May 14, 06:22 PM
Why did Saudi Arabia and the UAE allegedly carry out secret bombing raids on Iran?

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in April secretly carried out a series of air strikes against Iran during the US-Israeli war against Tehran, the Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported this week. Analysts say these raids – which neither country has confirmed – would have been clandestine counterattacks following Tehran’s drone and missile strikes against Gulf state infrastructure.