Nobody Should Control the Strait of Hormuz, UAE Minister Says

Why It Matters

The strait is a critical chokepoint for energy and food commodities; restricting it would amplify price volatility and deepen the economic shock to Gulf states and the global economy.

Key Takeaways

• UAE insists Strait of Hormuz stay open, not under any nation's control.
• Tehran’s missile, drone, naval, and uranium programs must be fully curtailed.
• Strait handles ~25% of world oil/gas and ~33% of fertilizer exports.
• War exposes capability gaps and divergent policies among Gulf Cooperation Council members.
• UAE pledges continued security cooperation with Israel under Abraham Accords.

Pulse Analysis

The Strait of Hormuz has long been a barometer of geopolitical risk, funneling roughly 25% of the world’s oil and gas and a third of its fertilizer shipments. In the wake of the US‑Israel‑backed campaign against Iran that began on Feb. 28, the waterway has been intermittently blocked, prompting the UAE to champion its status as an international public good. Al Hashimy’s remarks underscore a broader demand that any future US‑Iran security framework address Tehran’s expanding missile, drone, naval, and uranium capabilities, which she described as a direct threat to free navigation.

Energy analysts warn that prolonged disruption of the Hormuz corridor could trigger a sharp spike in oil prices, reverberating through global supply chains and heightening recession risks. The International Monetary Fund’s 2026 forecast predicts the steepest economic slowdown for Gulf exporters, whose fiscal health is tightly linked to uninterrupted export flows. By emphasizing the strait’s role in global commodity markets, the UAE is signaling that regional security lapses have far‑reaching consequences for investors, manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.

Beyond the immediate security calculus, the conflict has laid bare fault lines within the Gulf Cooperation Council. Divergent military capabilities and strategic orientations among members have become more pronounced, yet the war has also forced a temporary realignment, with the UAE setting aside its diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia and reaffirming ties to Israel under the Abraham Accords. This evolving landscape suggests that any durable US‑Iran agreement will need to accommodate not only Tehran’s weapons programs but also the broader regional dynamics that shape energy security and economic stability.