The two Gulf states struck in retaliation for attacks conducted against them during the war in the Middle East, two current and one former senior U.S. officials said.

The United Arab Emirates secretly conducted military strikes against Iran during the 2026 war. The strikes were revealed in a Wall Street Journal report. The UAE is the only nation besides Israel and the U.

The Gulf powers are trying to re-establish deterrence against an Iranian regime that holds new leverage.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United Arab Emirates on Thursday of playing an active role in the US-Israeli war against his country. Araghchi also referred to what Israel has described as a "secret" meeting in the UAE during the war between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan -- a visit Abu Dhabi denied took place.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations said Thursday that a Honduran-flagged vessel was seized by Iran northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Kuwait accused Iran of launching a failed attack earlier this month on an island where China is helping build a port. And a U.S. ambassador revealed Israel sent its Iron Dome air-defense to the United Arab Emirates.