US officials are encouraging the United Arab Emirates to “get more heavily involved in the Iran war and seize one of Tehran’s Gulf islands,” The Telegraph reported Saturday.

A former senior US security official told the newspaper that some people within US President Donald Trump’s circle have proposed that the UAE seize Lavan Island, which was reportedly targeted in covert Emirati military strikes in early April.

“Go take ’em!” the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper, adding: “It would be UAE boots on the ground instead of US.”

READ: Israeli premier made secret trip to UAE to meet President bin Zayed

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. In response.