UAE Prepares for Military Action to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Abu Dhabi is lobbying international partners to form a coalition to break the de facto Iranian blockade that has paralyzed global energy markets for over a month. Emirati diplomats are reportedly pushing for a UN Security Council resolution that would authorize the use of force to ensure freedom of navigation under international law. Sources indicate that the UAE is also calling for a specialized international taskforce involving European and Asian powers to clear mines and secure commercial shipping lanes.

The decision to move toward direct military involvement follows a series of Iranian strikes on UAE territory since the conflict began on February 28, 2026. Iran has reportedly launched over 1,900 drone attacks and 400 ballistic missiles toward the UAE, targeting critical infrastructure including Al Dhafra and Al Minhad airbases. These strikes have resulted in at least 12 deaths within the UAE, including the tragic death of a Bangladeshi expatriate in Fujairah on April 1 due to falling drone shrapnel. A senior Emirati official noted that Iran is using the Strait as a "stranglehold" to collapse the global economy, leaving the UAE with little choice but to defend its sovereign interests. While the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially confirmed the report, it issued a statement emphasizing a "comprehensive global consensus" on maintaining the freedom of navigation.