Fact Check: Did UAE unlock billions for Iran as negotiations with the US to end the war advanced?
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has stepped up efforts to end the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, which erupted after a joint US-Israeli military operation launched in February 2026.
Now, reports suggest the United Arab Emirates has entered the fray, assisting efforts to broker a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
According to the viral claims, the UAE has already delivered about $3 billion to Iran and agreed to release billions more under an arrangement aimed at halting Iranian attacks.
However, many users have questioned the authenticity of the claim. Here's a fact check.
Claims: The UAE released billions of dollars to Iran
The rumoured reports spread in the form of an X (formerly Twitter) post, stating that “The UAE is unlocking billions for Iran as negotiations with the US to end the war reach the finish line.”
The claim appears to stem from a Reuters report which, citing four sources familiar with the matter, said the UAE had agreed to release between $10 billion and $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Iran halting attacks on the Gulf nation.
BREAKING: The UAE is unlocking billions for Iran as negotiations with the U.S. to end the war reach the finish line, per Reuters.
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 12, 2026
Sources say Iran could gain access to $10–20 billion in funds, with at least $3 billion already released. The broader deal may also free up tens of…
Iran has launched hundreds of attacks on Emirati military targets and infrastructure since the start of the US-led war on February 28.
One source familiar with the reported arrangement also claimed that an initial tranche of $3 billion had already been made available.
The post, which has garnered 878 likes and 123 comments, sparked a wave of speculation online, with several users criticizing Trump for allegedly dragging the UAE into the conflict.
Fact Check: False, UAE government hits back at claims
The allegations made in the viral post are false. The UAE government has publicly rejected reports that it agreed to release billions of dollars in frozen funds to Iran.
“The UAE’s foreign policy is guided by promoting de-escalation and reducing tensions across the region, while advancing lasting peace and stability,” it said in a statement.
“The UAE supports efforts, including those undertaken by the United States, to protect the peoples of the region from the repercussions of conflict,” it continued.
Circumstantial evidence suggests a shift may have occurred in early May, when the UAE emerged as Iran's most heavily targeted adversary, enduring more missile and drone attacks than any other country, including Israel.
After a final attack on May 4, Iran’s assaults on the UAE abruptly stopped. Since then, Tehran has focused its attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain while avoiding the UAE.
Iran and the UAE had a tense relationship even before the war, with Abu Dhabi long viewing Tehran as its primary security threat. However, the UAE’s strategy of maintaining economic ties with a wide range of countries included Iran, and the two nations enjoyed limited bilateral cooperation.
That relationship was effectively shattered with the launch of Operation Epic Fury, as Iran directed much of its retaliatory campaign toward the Gulf nation. The UAE responded by severing ties and emerging as one of the region’s most hardline voices, urging President Donald Trump to adopt a tougher stance against Tehran.
