A report issued this week indicates that senior officials in the United States are urging the United Arab Emirates to seize Lavan Island, a strategically important Iranian outpost in the Persian Gulf. Lavan hosts key oil‑export facilities, including a refinery, storage tanks and a loading terminal linked to several major crude fields, and sits above a sizable natural‑gas reserve.
According to sources quoted by The Telegraph, some advisors close to President Donald Trump have suggested that the UAE take the island, arguing that Emirati troops on the ground would reduce the need for direct U.S. forces. A former senior Trump security official is reported to have said, “Go take ‘em! It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US.” The suggestion reflects growing pressure in Washington to limit American military exposure as the conflict with Iran enters its third month.
Pentagon officials told Congress that the war has already cost the United States roughly $29 billion, largely for missile procurement and air‑defense operations. Continuous firing of THAAD interceptors, Patriot batteries and Tomahawk cruise missiles has strained U.S. stockpiles. In response, the Department of Defense is accelerating the acquisition of lower‑cost, mass‑produced weapons from newer defense firms rather than relying exclusively on traditional contractors.
The push for greater Emirati involvement comes at a time when several U.S. allies are reluctant to deepen their participation. While Washington has called on partners to contribute naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, European NATO members such as Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom have publicly limited their engagement. By contrast, the UAE has moved closer to Washington and Israel. Tehran has accused Abu Dhabi of serving as a “hostile base” for U.S. and Israeli activities and has retaliated against targets in the Emirates. Reports indicate that Emirati forces have carried out covert strikes on Iranian positions, including attacks on Lavan Island in April.
Saudi Arabia is also said to have conducted limited strikes against Iranian facilities, but it has resisted Emirati attempts to launch a coordinated Gulf‑wide military campaign.
The proposal to hand Lavan Island to the UAE highlights a broader shift in U.S. strategy: minimizing American troops on the ground while encouraging regional partners to assume more active roles. How the UAE responds, and whether it will receive broader coalition support, could shape the next phase of the conflict and influence the security dynamics of the Persian Gulf. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as Washington and its partners reassess their military postures.
