UAE dismantles Iran and Hezbollah 'terrorist network' — members arrested, financing and money laundering operation broken up

United Arab Emirates authorities announced on Friday (March 20, 2026) that they had dismantled a 'terrorist network' funded and operated by Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran, and arrested its members, according to a Reuters report. The UAE said the network was accused of financing terrorism, money laundering, and threatening national security. No further details on the number of arrests, identities, or specific operational activities were immediately disclosed. The disclosure is significant in the context of the active Iran war: the UAE has been targeted by Iranian strikes (Habshan gas facility suspended after missile interception debris on Day 20; earlier missile and drone attacks across Abu Dhabi and Dubai). Iran expelled UAE military and security attachés and demanded compensation at the UN for US strikes launched from Emirati territory. The UAE has simultaneously been strengthening its US military ties — on the same day, the US approved an additional unannounced $7B in weapons for the UAE. Kuwait made a similar Hezbollah-cell arrest on Day 19 (10 operatives arrested). The UAE takedown suggests coordinated Gulf counterintelligence action against Iran-Hezbollah networks during the conflict.