Arab officials say the United Arab Emirates is preparing to assist the United States and its partners in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force, and is lobbying for international backing to authorize such an operation.
According to accounts attributed to Arab officials, Emirati diplomats have been pressing for a U.N. Security Council resolution that would provide legal cover for a coalition to clear the waterway. Diplomats are said to be encouraging American, European and Asian allies to join in a coordinated effort to restore maritime traffic through the strait.
The diplomatic push follows comments from U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that he plans to wind down military operations against Iran in the coming weeks. President Trump also signaled he was open to leaving the Strait of Hormuz closed, directing allies to either source oil from the United States or take action themselves to reopen the channel.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point in the conflict with Iran after Tehran effectively blocked the passage in response to U.S. and Israeli hostilities over the past month. The channel is a critical artery for global energy flows, supplying roughly 20% of the world’s oil consumption, a concentration that gives the strait outsized influence on energy markets.
Closure of the strait has already imposed a significant economic strain on Gulf exporters that rely on the channel to move oil and gas. Oil markets reacted sharply: prices posted a record monthly gain in March amid the disruption to shipments through Hormuz.
With Emirati diplomats reportedly seeking a U.N. mandate and urging coalition formation, the outcome remains uncertain. The combination of a potential international operation and simultaneous signals from the U.S. administration about reducing military engagement creates a complicated diplomatic and operational backdrop for any effort to reopen the waterway.
Summary
The UAE is preparing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force and is advocating for a U.N. Security Council resolution to authorize a coalition operation. Tehran has effectively blocked the strait in response to recent hostilities, prompting higher oil prices and economic pressure on Gulf exporters.