Dubai, May 12 -- Despite rejecting any military involvement during the recent conflict in West Asia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly carried out covert strikes on Iran, marking a significant escalation in the Gulf monarchy's role in the war, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

According to the WSJ report, the UAE conducted attacks, including a strike on a refinery located on Iran's Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, in early April, around the same time US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire following a five-week military campaign against the Islamic Republic.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the strike triggered a major fire at the refinery and disrupted much of its operat...