A US report has revealed that the United Arab Emirates is preparing to become the first Arab state to openly engage in military operations alongside Israel, under the pretext of supporting efforts to forcibly reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the United States and other allies.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Abu Dhabi is actively pushing for a United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorise such military action. This move could position the UAE as the first Gulf state to directly participate as a combatant following recent Iranian attacks targeting its territory.
Diplomatic Pressure and Coalition Building
The report indicates that Emirati diplomats have urged the United States, alongside European and Asian military powers, to form a coalition aimed at reopening the strait by force.
An Emirati official stated that Iran views the confrontation as existential, suggesting that Tehran is prepared to choke the global economy by asserting control over the strait. The UAE is currently reviewing active military participation options, including mine clearance operations and logistical support roles.
Strategic Escalation and Territorial Proposals
Arab sources revealed that the UAE has proposed that the United States occupy key islands within the waterway, including Abu Musa Island, which has been under Iranian control for nearly five decades and remains disputed by the UAE.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an official statement, referenced separate United Nations and International Maritime Organisation resolutions condemning Iranian attacks and the closure of the strait, emphasising what it described as broad global consensus on maintaining freedom of navigation.
Gulf Positioning and Regional Hesitation
Arab officials noted that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are increasingly leaning against the Iranian regime and favour prolonging the war until it is weakened or removed. However, these states have not yet committed to deploying their own military forces.
Bahrain, a close US ally that hosts the Fifth Fleet, is reportedly sponsoring the draft UN resolution, with a vote expected imminently.
A Strategic Shift in UAE Policy
The UAE’s current posture marks a significant shift in its strategic outlook. Historically, Dubai maintained strong economic ties with Iran, while Emirati diplomats previously acted as mediators between Washington and Tehran before the war. This included a visit to Abu Dhabi by senior Iranian national security official Ali Larijani, who was later killed in an airstrike.
Now, the UAE appears aligned with President Donald Trump’s approach, which calls for allies to bear a greater share of military burdens, particularly in relation to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Trump has signalled willingness to end the war without reopening the strait, leaving that responsibility to regional partners.
Risks of Direct Military Involvement
Direct participation carries significant risks. Positioning itself as a combatant against Iran could trigger long term regional tensions extending beyond the current conflict.
Iran has already escalated its attacks on the UAE. Following weeks of limited strikes, recent days have seen a sharp increase in missile and drone attacks, including approximately 50 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones launched in a single day.
Tehran has warned that it will target critical civilian infrastructure in any Gulf state supporting operations against it, explicitly naming the UAE.
Economic Fallout Inside the UAE
The escalation has had tangible economic consequences. Air traffic and tourism have declined, the real estate market has been impacted, and there has been a wave of forced leave and layoffs. The situation has also shaken the UAE’s image as a stable economic hub in an unstable region.
In response, the UAE has introduced strict financial and administrative measures. A memo from Emirates airline indicated that Iranian nationals have been banned from entering or transiting through the country. Authorities have also shut down the Iranian hospital and Iranian club in Dubai.
Hormuz as a Strategic Lifeline
The UAE’s stance is particularly tied to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for its energy exports, shipping operations, and food supply chains.
Gulf officials believe that hesitant Asian and European states may eventually join efforts to reopen the strait if backed by a UN Security Council mandate. However, Russia and China could block such a resolution using veto power, while France has proposed alternative approaches. Despite this, UAE officials indicate readiness to proceed with military involvement even without formal UN approval.
Military Realities and Operational Challenges
Iran insists on maintaining permanent oversight of the strait, including implementing transit fees, a prospect Gulf states reject due to fears of granting Tehran formal control over the waterway.
Military analysts caution that reopening the strait by force would be highly complex. Any operation would likely require not only securing the maritime corridor but also controlling surrounding land areas stretching roughly 100 miles, potentially necessitating ground forces.
Despite these challenges, some Gulf states view the risks as acceptable, given the strategic threat posed by allowing a hostile power to control such a critical passage.
UAE Military Capabilities and Strategic Position
The UAE possesses significant military infrastructure that could support such operations. This includes military bases, a deep water port in Jebel Ali, and a strategic location near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, making it a potential staging ground for US led operations.
Its armed forces include a capable, though relatively small, air force equipped with US supplied F 16 fighter jets, previously used in operations in Iraq. The UAE also operates reconnaissance drones and maintains stockpiles of short range bombs and missiles, which could supplement US and Israeli capabilities.
Analysts note that the UAE’s geographic proximity to the strait allows for coordinated deployment of multiple platforms to protect navigation routes and target Iranian positions across the Gulf.
