Israeli Military Built Covert Base in Iraq; Gulf States Conducted Strikes on Iran
Recent disclosures indicate the Israel-Iran conflict involved more participants than previously reported, including a secret Israeli base inside Iraq and airstrikes by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Iranian targets. The U.S. approved major new arms sales to several of Iran's neighbors in May. President Trump said the ceasefire between Israel and Iran is on life support.
thehindu.comNew reports indicate that Israel constructed a covert base inside Iraq to support its airstrikes against Iran. Iraqi troops who approached the base to investigate were attacked, according to the account published by The Federalist. Officials in the countries involved have declined to comment on the reports.
Separate accounts over the weekend showed that the United Arab Emirates conducted military strikes inside Iran, bombing a refinery. Similar reports described the Saudi military striking targets inside Iran. No country has officially acknowledged the actions.
The U.S. government website that publishes notices of foreign arms sales shows a recent buying spree by Iran’s neighbors. Significant new disclosures in May covered major arms sales to Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Israel. These include the sale of 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II units to Qatar and to Israel, plus a smaller number of an air-to-air variant to the UAE.
The system converts unguided rockets into precision weapons.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have not discussed the reported strikes. Officials from those countries and others declined comment to journalists inquiring about the actions.
President Donald Trump said on May 13, 2026: “The ceasefire in the Iran War is on life support.”
The pattern of new disclosures continues to emerge even as the immediate fighting has paused.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- May 2026
U.S. discloses major new arms sales to Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Israel including 10,000 precision weapon kits.
1 sourceThe Federalist - May 2026
UAE conducts strikes on Iranian refinery in retaliation for Iranian attacks.
1 sourceThe Federalist - May 2026
Saudi military strikes targets inside Iran according to weekend reports.
1 sourceThe Federalist - May 2026
Israeli military builds covert base in Iraq and attacks investigating Iraqi troops.
1 sourceThe Federalist - Yesterday
President Trump states the ceasefire with Iran is on life support.
1 sourceThe Federalist
Potential Impact
- 01
Risk of renewed conflict remains elevated if the current ceasefire collapses.
- 02
Regional states maintain official silence on reported direct strikes against Iran.
- 03
Iran's neighbors have acquired large quantities of precision strike munitions.
- 04
Additional details about multi-party involvement in the Israel-Iran war continue to emerge.
Transparency Panel
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