WSJ: UAE weighs military role in bid to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to support the United States and allied nations in a potential military effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Arab officials said, in a move that could mark the Gulf state’s entry into the conflict following Iranian attacks.

Officials said the U.A.E. is lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution to authorise the use of force, while urging Western and Asian powers to form a coalition to secure the vital shipping lane, The Wall Street Journal writes.

An Emirati official said the government is reviewing options for a direct military role, including mine-clearing operations and logistical support.

The official added that Iran views the conflict as existential and may seek to disrupt global trade via the Strait. The U.A.E. has also called for U.S. control of disputed islands in the waterway, including Abu Musa, which is held by Iran but claimed by the Emirates, according to Arab officials.

In a statement, the Emirati Foreign Ministry cited a separate U.N. resolution condemning Iranian strikes on its cities and another by the International Maritime Organisation criticising the closure of the strait. It said there is “broad global consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved.”

Regional tensions have intensified, with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states increasingly opposing Iran’s leadership, though they have yet to commit forces. Bahrain is sponsoring the draft U.N. resolution, with a vote expected soon, officials said.

The U.A.E.’s stance represents a significant shift from its previous approach, when it sought to balance ties with Tehran and even attempted mediation before the conflict. Those efforts included a visit to Abu Dhabi by Iranian official Ali Larijani.

Now, the Emirates appears aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for allies to shoulder more responsibility. However, participation carries risks, including prolonged confrontation with Iran and potential economic fallout.

Iran has stepped up missile and drone attacks on the Emirates in recent days, officials said, targeting infrastructure and raising pressure on the country’s economy, particularly in Dubai, a regional business hub.

“They could step into this war only to face a more aggressive Iran, continue to absorb hits to critical infrastructure and potentially investor confidence, and then struggle to rebuild ties with their neighbor, particularly if Trump elects to declare victory before reopening the strait or crippling Iran’s missile and drone capabilities,” Elizabeth Dent, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said.

Despite the escalation, the U.A.E. is pushing ahead with diplomatic and military planning. Officials said the country believes broader international backing—particularly from Europe and Asia—could be secured if endorsed by the Security Council, though vetoes from Russia or China remain possible.

Military analysts caution that reopening the strait by force would be complex, requiring control of both the waterway and adjacent territory.

“I don’t think we can do it,” said Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. “All Iran has to do is be able to keep the Strait under threat, which means they need one drone, they need one mine, they need one small suicide boat.”

Still, some Gulf officials argue the risks are justified given the strategic importance of the route, which is critical for global energy supplies and regional economies.

“The proximity along the strait means that you can team up and place different platforms there to protect shipping and go after Iranian targets on the other side of the Gulf,” said Grant Rumley, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute.

By Aghakazim Guliyev