Trump’s Officials Tell UAE to Seize Crucial Iranian Island
17th May 2026
Trump administration officials are encouraging the United Arab Emirates to get more heavily involved in the Iran war and seize one of Tehran’s Gulf islands, The Telegraph understands.
Some in Donald Trump’s circle have suggested the UAE should take Lavan Island, which was reportedly bombed in secret military strikes by the Emiratis in early April, a former senior Trump security official told The Telegraph.
“Go take ’em!” the official said. “It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US.”