The United States on Friday (July 10) eased export controls on the United Arab Emirates, paving the way for the export of military equipment, certain commercial satellites and spacecraft, according to a US Department of Commerce press release.&nbsp;Washington also announced that it had upgraded the UAE to the status of a "U.S. Major Defence Partner" under the Export Administration Regulations.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said the move recognises the UAE's support in advancing US national security interests, including Operation Epic Fury.&nbsp;The decision also removes restrictions on the UAE's drone programmes.&nbsp;A document filed in the US Federal Register specifies the significance of the change in the UAE's status.&nbsp;"The UAE government and approved commercial entities will also have licence-free access to advanced computing items, consistent with the May 2025 US-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework," a US government posting in the Federal Register read.&nbsp;The relaxed export rules are expected to allow companies in the UAE to purchase advanced AI chips from Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Cerebras Systems Inc. The supplies are part of an agreement reached between Washington and Abu Dhabi more than a year ago.&nbsp;Under the agreement, the companies will provide thousands of processors to G42, the UAE's state-backed technology firm, for use in new artificial intelligence data centres across the region.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-iran-asked-to-resume-talks-and-us-agreed-but-reaffirms-ceasefire-is-over-1783698753921">Trump claims Iran asked to resume talks and US agreed, but reaffirms 'ceasefire is OVER'</a>&nbsp;"In addition, consistent with the U.S.-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework signed in May 2025, Commerce is approving the UAE Government and certain companies to receive advanced computing items in the UAE license-free, including AI chips and servers," the statement added.&nbsp;The Commerce Department also highlighted the UAE's growing investment in the United States.&nbsp;"The UAE is also a major source of foreign direct investment in the US, valued at over $1 trillion, and benefiting US economic sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), aviation, metals, and energy."

The BIS said the designation recognises the UAE's contribution to US national security, including its support for Operation Epic Fury.

The United States on Friday (July 10) eased export controls on the United Arab Emirates, paving the way for the export of military equipment, certain commercial satellites and spacecraft, according to a US Department of Commerce press release. Washington also announced that it had upgraded the UAE to the status of a "U.S. Major Defence Partner" under the Export Administration Regulations. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said the move recognises the UAE's support in advancing US national security interests, including Operation Epic Fury. The decision also removes restrictions on the UAE's drone programmes. A document filed in the US Federal Register specifies the significance of the change in the UAE's status. "The UAE government and approved commercial entities will also have licence-free access to advanced computing items, consistent with the May 2025 US-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework," a US government posting in the Federal Register read. The relaxed export rules are expected to allow companies in the UAE to purchase advanced AI chips from Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Cerebras Systems Inc. The supplies are part of an agreement reached between Washington and Abu Dhabi more than a year ago. Under the agreement, the companies will provide thousands of processors to G42, the UAE's state-backed technology firm, for use in new artificial intelligence data centres across the region. Also Read: Trump claims Iran asked to resume talks and US agreed, but reaffirms 'ceasefire is OVER' "In addition, consistent with the U.S.-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework signed in May 2025, Commerce is approving the UAE Government and certain companies to receive advanced computing items in the UAE license-free, including AI chips and servers," the statement added. The Commerce Department also highlighted the UAE's growing investment in the United States. "The UAE is also a major source of foreign direct investment in the US, valued at over $1 trillion, and benefiting US economic sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), aviation, metals, and energy."

The BIS said the designation recognises the UAE's contribution to US national security, including its support for Operation Epic Fury.

UAE gets access to military, AI tech as US upgrades it to 'Major Defence Partner'

In a major assessment of ongoing combat operations in West Asia, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper declared that American and allied military strikes have effectively crippled Iran’s long-term military capabilities. Speaking on the strategic outcomes of the multi-month campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, Adm. Cooper revealed the extensive scale of damage inflicted on Iran’s military infrastructure. "Operation Epic Fury significantly degraded Iran's ballistic missiles and drones while destroying 90% of their defence industrial base, ensuring that Iran cannot reconstitute for years," Cooper stated in an official CENTCOM briefing.&nbsp;According to updates published by the White House, Operation Epic Fury was launched on February 28, 2026, as a coordinated, multi-domain response to neutralise escalating regional threats. The campaign initially targeted Iranian offensive weapons systems, launch networks, and air defences. However, as documented by regional security analysts at Flashpoint, the operation rapidly evolved from localised containment into a comprehensive campaign targeting the deeper logistics, production hubs, and energy systems sustaining the Iranian military.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/VLlX26z4He">pic.twitter.com/VLlX26z4He</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2056745371687113016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;The destruction of nearly 90 per cent of the regime's defence industrial base marks a critical turning point in the conflict. Pentagon briefings from the Department of War note that targeted strikes focused systematically on manufacturing plants, drone assembly facilities, and missile foundries. By levelling these production pipelines, allied forces have severely limited Iran's capacity to replenish its depleted stockpiles of precision-guided munitions or to continue supplying weapons to regional proxy networks.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-forces-strike-two-iranian-vessels-over-blockade-violation-centcom-releases-footage-watch-1778251489066">US forces strike two Iranian vessels over blockade violation; CENTCOM releases footage | WATCH</a>&nbsp;Furthermore, CENTCOM forces have strictly enforced a defensive naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, halting the inbound flow of material resources. Adm. Cooper on Mat 14 confirmed that high concentrations of naval firepower, including guided-missile destroyers and attack helicopters, remain deployed to safeguard global commerce and prevent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from disrupting crucial shipping lanes.&nbsp;The White House maintains that the strategic objectives of the operation, including permanently denying Iran a pathway to nuclear weapons and neutralising its ballistic threat, remain absolute.&nbsp;

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper revealed that Operation Epic Fury has dismantled 90% of Iran's defence industrial base, halting military reconstitution.


In a major assessment of ongoing combat operations in West Asia, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper declared that American and allied military strikes have effectively crippled Iran’s long-term military capabilities. Speaking on the strategic outcomes of the multi-month campaign known as Operation Epic Fury, Adm. Cooper revealed the extensive scale of damage inflicted on Iran’s military infrastructure. "Operation Epic Fury significantly degraded Iran's ballistic missiles and drones while destroying 90% of their defence industrial base, ensuring that Iran cannot reconstitute for years," Cooper stated in an official CENTCOM briefing. According to updates published by the White House, Operation Epic Fury was launched on February 28, 2026, as a coordinated, multi-domain response to neutralise escalating regional threats. The campaign initially targeted Iranian offensive weapons systems, launch networks, and air defences. However, as documented by regional security analysts at Flashpoint, the operation rapidly evolved from localised containment into a comprehensive campaign targeting the deeper logistics, production hubs, and energy systems sustaining the Iranian military.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper revealed that Operation Epic Fury has dismantled 90% of Iran's defence industrial base, halting military reconstitution.

Operation Epic Fury has destroyed 90% of Iran's defence industry, says CENTCOM chief

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says Operation Epic Fury is “laser-focused” on destroying Iran’s offensive missile systems, missile production facilities, naval assets, and security infrastructure. U.S. forces under United States Central Command have targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers, air defenses, drone launch sites, and airfields as the conflict intensifies.

'Will Finish Iranian Facility Completely': US Defence Secretary Hegseth On Iran War 

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UAE gets access to military, AI tech as US upgrades it to 'Major Defence Partner'

Operation Epic Fury has destroyed 90% of Iran's defence industry: CENTCOM chief

'Will Finish Iranian Facility Completely': US Defence Secretary Hegseth On Iran War