The United Arab Emirates is pushing to assemble a multinational naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a more assertive regional posture as tensions with Iran disrupt one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Abu Dhabi has indicated to the United States and its allies that it is prepared to contribute naval assets to the proposed task force, aimed at restoring safe passage through the strait. The move reflects growing concern among Gulf states over Iran’s actions, which have sharply reduced traffic through a route that typically carries about a fifth of global oil and gas supplies.
The proposed initiative—informally framed as a “Hormuz Security Force”—would focus on escorting commercial vessels and deterring further disruptions, rather than engaging in direct military confrontation. However, its success will depend on broad international backing.
To that end, the UAE is working with Bahrain to pursue a United Nations Security Council mandate that would legitimise the force. But diplomatic hurdles remain, with potential opposition from Russia and China likely to complicate efforts to secure approval.
The urgency is being driven by mounting economic pressure. Disruptions in the strait have tightened supply chains and kept energy prices elevated, with ripple effects extending far beyond the Gulf.
Senior UAE minister Sultan Al Jaber framed the stakes in global terms, arguing that instability in Hormuz translates directly into higher costs for consumers worldwide—from fuel to food and essential goods.
Despite the strategic importance of the route, support for the initiative has so far been limited. Bahrain is the only Gulf state to openly back the proposal, while the UAE is seeking to bring Saudi Arabia and other partners on board. Western allies, including NATO members, have shown reluctance to commit naval resources, underscoring the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the effort.
The emerging plan reflects a growing consensus in Washington and parts of the Gulf that reopening the strait may require coordinated naval escorts—raising the prospect of a sustained international security presence in one of the world’s most volatile waterways.
For the UAE, the push marks a shift from diplomacy to deterrence, as it seeks to safeguard both regional stability and the global energy flows that pass through Hormuz.
