Insider: The UAE plans to establish a multinational naval force to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates has informed its allies that it will participate in a multinational naval task force aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE is currently actively lobbying to form a coalition to ensure that shipping can pass through this critical Gulf waterway.

According to three informed sources, the UAE has notified the United States and other Western countries of its involvement, with two of them stating that Abu Dhabi will deploy its navy. This move reflects the UAE’s tougher stance towards Iran, as the country is bearing the brunt of Tehran’s retaliation against the United States and Israel.

“The focus is on building as broad an international force as possible,” one of the sources said. “This is not about going to war with Iran. Iran has declared war on the global economy, and countries need to step up.”

The source also mentioned that the UAE is working with Bahrain to draft a United Nations Security Council resolution to authorize any future task force.

The attacks launched by Tehran have drastically reduced traffic through the Strait to a trickle—this waterway typically carries one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Gulf countries are concerned that even if the war ends, Iran may attempt to maintain control over the Strait.

There is a growing consensus among some Gulf countries and within the Trump administration: without naval escorts, there is no shortcut to reopening the Strait.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated on Wednesday that the government is committed to achieving “freedom of navigation through the Strait as soon as possible.”

The UAE has a relatively small but modern navy. The country is trying to rally dozens of nations to form a “Hormuz Security Force” to protect the Strait from Iranian attacks and provide escorts for shipping, thereby alleviating the threat of persistently high oil prices and clearing blockages to the supply chains of Gulf countries.

UAE Minister of State Sultan al-Jaber discussed this matter in Washington this week with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. He stated, “Iran is holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage, and every country is paying the price—for gas at the pump, in grocery stores, and at pharmacies.”

So far, America’s NATO allies have resisted Donald Trump’s push for their assistance in escorting vessels through the Strait. The U.S. president has frequently criticized this transatlantic organization and its member states.

According to two of the informed sources, Bahrain is the only other Gulf country supporting the plan. The UAE hopes to gain the support of Saudi Arabia and other international partners.

One source stated that the UAE military will join any multinational force and fully participate in its operations.

Abu Dhabi’s hardline stance stands out among the other five Gulf countries. Last week, the UAE and Bahrain—historically more hawkish towards Iran—were the only two Gulf states to sign a joint statement with Western countries. This statement condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial shipping and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Other Gulf countries are also angered by Iran’s attacks on their neighbors, especially since they had tried to persuade Trump not to go to war and publicly declared that they would not allow their territories to be used to attack the Islamic Republic. However, the countries have failed to form a unified response.