Changes in Military and Diplomatic Relations Between Gulf States, Israel, and Iran

May 13, 2026, 21:53

Introduction

Recent reports suggest that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates carried out secret military operations against Iran. At the same time, there are conflicting reports about a high-level diplomatic meeting between Israel and the UAE.

Main Body

Regional security changed significantly in late March. Saudi Arabia stopped relying solely on the United States for protection and instead launched direct air strikes inside Iranian territory. Western officials described these actions as responses to Iranian attacks on the kingdom. During this period, Iran targeted all Gulf Cooperation Council states, with a particular focus on the UAE. Consequently, the UAE also took offensive action, including a strike on a refinery on Lavan Island. While the UAE took a more aggressive approach, Saudi Arabia used a combination of military force and diplomacy. This strategy led to an informal agreement to reduce tensions between Riyadh and Tehran before the ceasefire on April 7. Meanwhile, there is a disagreement regarding the relationship between Israel and the UAE. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office claimed that a secret visit to Al-Ain took place on March 26, resulting in a 'historic breakthrough.' This claim is supported by reports that the head of Mossad coordinated military actions and that Israel sent Iron Dome defense systems and personnel to the UAE. However, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially denied these claims. They stated that the reports of secret visits are baseless and emphasized that relations continue to follow the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Conclusion

In summary, Gulf nations have started using direct military responses to Iranian aggression, although the UAE government continues to deny that a secret strategic meeting with Israel ever happened.

Learning

⚡ The Power of 'Connectors' (Moving from A2 to B2)

At the A2 level, we often write short, choppy sentences: "The UAE took action. Saudi Arabia used diplomacy." To reach B2, you must glue these ideas together using Logical Connectors. This changes your speech from a list of facts into a professional narrative.

🛠️ The 'Contrast' Toolkit

Look at how the text avoids simple words like "but" to create more sophisticated balance:

"While..." $\rightarrow$ $\to$ "While the UAE took a more aggressive approach, Saudi Arabia used a combination of military force..."
- B2 Tip: Start your sentence with 'While' to show two different things happening at the same time.
"However" $\rightarrow$ $\to$ "However, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially denied these claims."
- B2 Tip: Use this at the start of a new sentence to create a strong 'pivot' or contradiction.

📈 The 'Cause & Effect' Chain

B2 speakers don't just say "so." They use words that show a direct result of a previous action:

"Consequently" $\rightarrow$ $\to$ "Consequently, the UAE also took offensive action..."
- Meaning: Because 'A' happened, 'B' was the inevitable result.
"Resulting in" $\rightarrow$ $\to$ "...took place on March 26, resulting in a 'historic breakthrough.'"
- B2 Tip: Use the -ing form after a comma to describe the immediate outcome of an event without starting a new sentence.

💡 Quick Upgrade Summary

A2 (Basic)	B2 (Bridge)	Example from Text
But	However / While	While the UAE...
So	Consequently	Consequently, the UAE...
And then	Resulting in	...resulting in a breakthrough

Vocabulary Learning

secret (adj.)

Something that is kept hidden or not publicly known

Example:The government kept the plan secret to avoid public backlash.

military (adj.)

Relating to armed forces or war

Example:The military operation was launched in response to the attack.

operations (n.)

Planned series of actions to achieve a goal, especially in war

Example:The operations were carried out under cover of night.

conflicting (adj.)

Showing disagreement or opposition

Example:There were conflicting reports about the meeting's outcome.

high-level (adj.)

Involving senior or important officials

Example:A high-level summit was scheduled for next month.

diplomatic (adj.)

Relating to diplomacy or negotiations between countries

Example:Diplomatic channels were used to resolve the dispute.

meeting (n.)

An assembly of people for discussion or decision-making

Example:The meeting ended with a joint statement.

direct (adj.)

Immediate, without intermediaries

Example:They launched direct air strikes inside the territory.

strikes (n.)

Attacks, especially by bombs or missiles

Example:The strikes targeted key infrastructure.

territory (n.)

A defined area of land under a particular authority

Example:The attack was carried out inside enemy territory.

official (n.)

A person holding a public office or position

Example:An official confirmed the new policy.

responses (n.)

Reactions or replies to an action or event

Example:The responses were swift and decisive.

attacks (n.)

Violent assaults or hostile actions

Example:The attacks were aimed at strategic targets.

aggressive (adj.)

Actively hostile or forceful

Example:The country adopted an aggressive stance against its rivals.

combination (n.)

A mix of two or more elements

Example:The strategy involved a combination of force and diplomacy.