U.A.E. Signals Willingness to Join Military Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Key Facts

Published: April 1, 2026 Location: Washington D.C Source: Wall Street Journal

• The United Arab Emirates is moving toward direct military involvement, signaling a major break from its previous neutral stance toward Iran.
• Iran has intensified attacks on the U.A.E., launching dozens of missiles and drones and warning of further strikes on critical infrastructure
• Global Stakes: Efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force could trigger wider conflict while impacting global energy supplies and economic stability

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The United Arab Emirates is preparing to assist the United States and allied nations in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force, marking a significant strategic shift that could make it the first Persian Gulf state to formally enter the conflict against Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Emirati leaders are reportedly lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize military action to secure the vital waterway, a key artery for global energy supplies. Officials said the U.A.E. is urging Western and Asian powers to form a coalition capable of clearing mines and ensuring safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait.

The move comes after a sharp escalation in Iranian attacks on the Emirates. In recent days, Iran launched nearly 50 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at the country, part of a broader campaign that has included approximately 2,500 projectiles since the conflict began. Tehran has warned it would target critical infrastructure in any Gulf nation supporting efforts to challenge its control over the region.

Despite historically maintaining a cautious and economically intertwined relationship with Iran, the U.A.E. now appears to be aligning more closely with President Donald Trump’s call for regional allies to take a greater role in confronting Tehran. Gulf officials said the shift reflects growing alarm over Iran’s willingness to destabilize the region, including strikes on civilian targets such as airports and hotels in Dubai.

Bahrain is sponsoring the proposed U.N. resolution, with a vote expected soon, though opposition from Russia and China could block authorization. Even without formal approval, officials indicated the U.A.E. may still participate in a coalition effort to reopen the strait.

Military analysts caution that such an operation would be complex, potentially requiring control of both the waterway and surrounding territory. However, Gulf states backing the initiative believe the long-term risk of allowing Iran to dominate the strait outweighs the dangers of direct military engagement.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil and trade flows, and any sustained disruption threatens to send shockwaves through the economy, further raising the stakes in an already volatile conflict.

The prospect of the United Arab Emirates—an Islamic nation—aligning itself with the United States and Israel underscores the rapidly shifting dynamics of the Middle East in ways few could have imagined just years ago. Long defined by deep political, religious, and regional divides, the emerging alignment reflects a new reality driven less by historical loyalties and more by shared strategic threats, particularly from Iran. What once seemed improbable is now becoming a defining feature of the region: former adversaries finding common cause in security, stability, and survival, signaling a profound realignment that continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape.

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