By Ginika Igboke
A senior official from the United Arab Emirates said the country is open to supporting any U.S.-led initiative to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, indicated that the country could join multinational efforts to ensure the safety of shipping through the narrow waterway.
“I can see us, for example, playing a role with other countries in ensuring the safety and security of the Strait of Hormuz,” Gargash said during an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations. He emphasized that the strait is an international waterway and that maintaining the free flow of trade and energy is a shared global responsibility.
Gargash also noted that the UAE is not currently engaged in diplomatic talks with Iran.
In recent remarks on social media, he criticized Iran’s regional actions, describing its strategy as a sign of “military impotence” and “political isolation,” while calling for an end to attacks on neighboring countries and a return to diplomatic engagement.
The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments, making it one of the most strategically important waterways globally.
Ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations in the region have heightened concerns about energy market instability, as security threats have disrupted shipping traffic. Recent incidents include missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels, onboard fires, and confrontations between Iranian forces and international naval units.
President Donald Trump has proposed deploying the U.S. Navy to escort oil tankers through the strait and offering government-backed insurance to safeguard maritime trade. He has also urged countries that rely heavily on the route to contribute to its protection, noting that while some nations have agreed, others—particularly within NATO—have been reluctant.
Meanwhile, Gulf nations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait have intercepted Iranian missiles and drones targeting the region.
The United States and its partners continue to emphasize deterrence efforts to prevent disruptions to the waterway, warning that prolonged instability could drive oil prices higher.
Peter Earle of the American Institute for Economic Research said oil markets are likely to remain influenced by security risks in the Gulf. He noted that if crude prices stay near or above $100–$120 per barrel, gasoline prices in the United States could rise within weeks as higher costs reach consumers.
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