“Go Take Them!” – Trump Officials Pressed UAE to Seize Iranian Island, Reports Reveal
In a dramatic escalation of the Gulf conflict, senior Trump administration figures urged Emirati forces to capture Lavan Island and put “boots on the ground” instead of American troops, as the UAE reshapes its alliances following massive Iranian barrages.
WASHINGTON / DUBAI — Senior advisers to President Donald Trump have privately pressed the United Arab Emirates to take a dramatically expanded role in the ongoing war with Iran, including a proposal to seize the strategic Iranian island of Lavan in the Persian Gulf, according to a report published by The Telegraph .
“Go take them!” a senior former Trump security official told the British newspaper, explicitly urging Emirati forces to capture the island. “It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US” .
The proposal, which has not been formally acknowledged by the White House, represents a significant shift in US strategy—seeking to delegate ground operations to a regional ally while keeping American forces out of a potential direct ground confrontation with Iran . It also underscores the deepening realignment of Middle East alliances, as the UAE—frustrated by what it perceives as inadequate support from its Gulf neighbors—has increasingly turned toward Washington and Jerusalem .
Lavan Island: A Strategic Prize in the Gulf
Lavan Island, located northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, holds critical strategic and economic value for Iran . The island hosts a major oil refinery capable of processing approximately 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with oil flowing through underwater pipelines from four large offshore fields in the Persian Gulf .
The island is considered one of Iran’s four largest oil export facilities, alongside the more famous Kharg Island . Control of Lavan would not only deprive Tehran of significant refining and export capacity but would also give the occupying force a strategic foothold near the Strait of Hormuz—the narrow waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil normally passes.
Crucially, the UAE has already demonstrated its capability to strike the island. According to The Wall Street Journal, Emirati forces carried out a covert airstrike on Lavan Island in early April, targeting the refinery and sparking a large fire that took much of the facility offline for months . The UAE has not publicly acknowledged this operation, but officials familiar with the matter have confirmed its occurrence .
The UAE’s “9/11 Moment”: Why Abu Dhabi Is Reconsidering Everything
The Trump administration’s pressure on the UAE comes at a moment of profound strategic re-evaluation in Abu Dhabi. Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, the UAE has borne the brunt of Tehran’s retaliatory fury .
According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, the country has intercepted an astonishing 2,845 Iranian projectiles—including 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,265 drones—since the conflict began. Emirati officials have described this onslaught as the country’s “9/11 moment,” a defining event forcing a complete reassessment of its defense capabilities and regional alliances .
For decades, the UAE relied on a network of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) alliances and a cautious diplomatic posture toward Iran. The massive Iranian barrages have shattered that calculus.
“The UAE has borne the brunt of Tehran’s aggression,” experts told The Telegraph, noting that more than 2,800 missiles and drones have been launched at the Emirates since the war began . This sustained assault has accelerated a dramatic realignment in the Middle East and could create a “counter-axis” against Tehran .
Frustration with Gulf Neighbors: The Saudi Snub
The push for a more aggressive UAE posture also stems from deep Emirati frustration with its traditional Gulf allies. According to a Bloomberg report cited by The Jerusalem Post, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) attempted to coordinate a unified Gulf military response to Iranian attacks in the war’s early days .
MBZ held several phone calls with other leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, shortly after the US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28 . He was convinced of the need for a coordinated retaliatory response to deter Tehran.
His neighbors told him otherwise.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other GCC members declined to join, telling MBZ that “it was not their war to join” . This refusal has worsened already-strained relations between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and may have contributed to the UAE’s recent decision to withdraw from OPEC .
The Saudis, it appears, have charted a different course. Riyadh struck Iran on its own in March without coordinating with the UAE and then pivoted to help facilitate Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran . Qatar, too, considered striking Iran after the Islamic regime hit the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant, Ras Laffan, but ultimately decided against it, instead positioning itself to play a de-escalation role .
The Israel Factor: A Growing Axis
Frustrated with its GCC neighbors, the UAE has deepened its security cooperation with Israel and the United States. Emirati officials told The Telegraph that their country received “stronger backing from Israel and the U.S. than from its neighbors in the Gulf, which showed very little solidarity” .
This alignment has manifested in concrete military cooperation. Reports have indicated that:
- Israeli Iron Dome batteries, operated by IDF personnel, were quietly deployed to the UAE early in the war at MBZ’s request, according to The Jerusalem Post
- Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief David Zini reportedly visited the UAE to coordinate military actions
- The UAE and Israel have conducted joint military planning and intelligence sharing throughout the conflict
Israel, too, has a powerful incentive to see the UAE take a more active role. With Israeli officials declaring readiness to resume military operations against Iran, having a Gulf partner willing to put “boots on the ground” could provide operational advantages while sharing the political and military risks .
The Trump Administration’s Calculus: Delegating Ground War
The Telegraph’s revelation that senior Trump officials urged the UAE to “go take” Lavan Island suggests a deliberate US strategy to delegate ground operations to regional allies while preserving American air and naval superiority .
The administration official’s comment—”It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US”—captures this calculus precisely . Washington has been reluctant to commit its own ground forces to a direct confrontation with Iran, a conflict that could quickly escalate into a costly and protracted war.
By encouraging the UAE to seize and hold territory, the Trump administration could achieve its objective of degrading Iran’s strategic infrastructure—including its oil export capabilities—without the political cost of American casualties. The UAE, with its capable air force and special operations forces, would serve as the ground component of a broader anti-Iran coalition.
This approach mirrors the “by, with, and through” strategy the US has employed in other conflicts, relying on local partners to conduct ground operations while providing air support, intelligence, and logistics .
What This Means for the Ceasefire
The push for the UAE to seize Lavan Island comes at a precarious moment in the Iran conflict. A ceasefire brokered through Pakistani mediation took effect on April 8, but talks have failed to produce a lasting agreement . President Trump has described the truce as being “on massive life support,” and both sides have warned of the potential for renewed hostilities .
Iran has already responded to Emirati aggression. Following the reported April airstrike on Lavan Island, Iran’s ambassador to the UN demanded compensation from the UAE and other Gulf states for their “participation in the war,” accusing them of violating international law by joining aggressive actions against Tehran .
Further Emirati military action—particularly the seizure of Iranian territory—would almost certainly provoke a furious Iranian response, likely including renewed missile and drone barrages against UAE targets. The fragile ceasefire would collapse, and the region would be plunged back into full-scale war .
Military analysts note that US and Israeli forces are already positioned for potential renewed action. The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff has indicated that more than 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers, and dozens of destroyers are in position, with orders to resume large-scale operations as soon as the command is given .
The Broader Realignment: A New Middle East Order?
The US pressure on the UAE, and Abu Dhabi’s apparent willingness to consider a more aggressive posture, reflects a broader realignment of Middle East alliances that has accelerated during the Iran war.
| Traditional Order | Emerging Order |
|---|---|
| GCC unity as counterbalance to Iran | Fragmented Gulf, with UAE charting independent course |
| US as sole security guarantor | US-Israel-UAE “axis” as new security architecture |
| OPEC+ coordination with Saudi Arabia | UAE departure from OPEC, independent oil policy |
| Cautious diplomacy with Tehran | Open military confrontation |
This realignment has been most clearly signaled by the UAE’s departure from OPEC in late April—a decision many analysts attribute to Emirati frustration with Saudi leadership as much as economic considerations .
For the UAE, the calculus appears clear: traditional Gulf alliances have failed to provide security, while the US-Israeli partnership has offered tangible military support. The question now is whether Abu Dhabi is willing to take the next step—from defending itself against Iranian attacks to seizing Iranian territory .
Looking Ahead: What to Watch
Several developments in the coming days and weeks will determine whether the US proposal for a UAE seizure of Lavan Island moves from discussion to action:
- Official Responses: Neither the White House nor the UAE government has formally commented on The Telegraph’s report. Any official acknowledgment or denial would provide clarity.
- Military Preparations: Reports of UAE troop movements or additional airstrikes on Lavan or other Iranian targets would signal that action is imminent.
- Ceasefire Status: A formal collapse of the April 8 ceasefire would remove the remaining diplomatic barrier to renewed hostilities.
- Israeli Coordination: With Israeli officials having declared readiness to resume military operations, any Israeli announcement of renewed action would likely precede or accompany UAE moves.
- Iran’s Response: Tehran has already warned of retaliation. Any further Emirati strikes would almost certainly draw a significant Iranian response, potentially including attacks on UAE population centers and critical infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exactly did Trump officials propose to the UAE?
A: According to The Telegraph, senior figures in the Trump administration proposed that the UAE seize control of Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf. A senior former US security official was quoted as saying: “Go take them! It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US” .
Q2: Why is Lavan Island strategically important?
A: Lavan Island is one of Iran’s four largest oil export facilities. It hosts a refinery capable of processing approximately 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with oil flowing through underwater pipelines from four large offshore fields. The island is located northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies .
Q3: Has the UAE already attacked Lavan Island?
A: Yes. According to The Wall Street Journal, the UAE carried out a covert airstrike on Lavan Island in early April, targeting the refinery and sparking a large fire that disabled much of the facility’s production capacity. The UAE has not publicly acknowledged this operation .
Q4: Why is the UAE considering a more aggressive role against Iran?
A: The UAE has been the most heavily targeted country in the region during the war, intercepting 2,845 Iranian projectiles. Emirati officials have described this as the country’s “9/11 moment,” forcing a complete reassessment of its defense posture. The UAE has also been frustrated by the refusal of its Gulf neighbors—particularly Saudi Arabia—to join in a coordinated military response .
Q5: How have other Gulf states responded to the UAE’s proposals for coordinated action?
A: According to Bloomberg, the UAE attempted to persuade Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf states to coordinate a military response to Iranian attacks. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other leaders declined, telling the UAE that “it was not their war to join.” This refusal has worsened relations between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh .
Q6: What is Israel’s role in this emerging axis?
A: Reports indicate that Israel has provided significant military support to the UAE, including the deployment of Iron Dome batteries and Israeli personnel. Israeli intelligence chiefs have reportedly visited the UAE to coordinate military actions. The UAE has stated that it received “stronger backing from Israel and the U.S. than from its neighbors in the Gulf” .
Q7: What would happen to the ceasefire if the UAE seizes Lavan Island?
A: The April 8 ceasefire, already fragile, would almost certainly collapse. Iran has warned of retaliation against any further aggression. The seizure of Iranian territory would likely provoke a significant Iranian military response, potentially including renewed missile and drone attacks on UAE targets .
Q8: Is the US planning to resume military operations against Iran?
A: According to reports, US and Israeli forces are preparing for potential renewed action. The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff has indicated that more than 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers, and dozens of destroyers are in position, with orders to resume large-scale operations as soon as the command is given .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on the Trump administration’s pressure on the UAE, any official responses from Washington or Abu Dhabi, and the broader realignment of Middle East alliances as the Iran war continues.