Iran Told Saudi Arabia It Planned to ‘Crush the UAE’

Iranian officials privately told their Saudi counterparts that they planned to “crush the Emiratis,” according to a new report citing communications during the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran informed both Saudi Arabia and Oman it intended to “heavily target” the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for its perceived support for strikes against Iranian targets. The move appears designed to widen rifts within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), particularly between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

In one exchange, Iranian officials explicitly referenced existing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE while boasting about planned or ongoing attacks on Emirati territory. Tehran has launched hundreds of missiles, drones, and cruise missiles toward the UAE since the conflict escalated, making it one of the most heavily targeted countries after Israel.

The disclosure comes as Gulf states navigate complex alliances. While the UAE has taken a harder line and hosted assets linked to US and Israeli operations, Saudi Arabia has sought to balance its interests, including mediation efforts and protecting its own economic vulnerabilities.