UAE to join Iran war? Report claims Gulf nation to help US, allies force open Strait of Hormuz
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "UAE to join Iran war? Report claims Gulf nation to help US, allies force open Strait of Hormuz")
The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper is pictured as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport on March 16, 2026. Photograph: (AFP)
The United Arab Emirates may reportedly enter the Iran war, pushing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force, as Tehran intensifies missile attacks and warns of wider escalation.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly willing to join the war in West Asia and is preparing to assist the United States and other allies in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force. The move would make the UAE the first Gulf country to directly engage in the conflict that has been going on for a month now. This comes as Iran continues to retaliate against the UAE and other Gulf nations in response to the US and Israeli attacks.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Arab officials, that the UAE is lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorise such action. It added that Emirati diplomats have called on the military powers in the US, Europe, and Asia to form a coalition to open the strategic strait by force. The officials said that the Iranian regime believes it is fighting for its existence and is willing to bring the global economy down with it in a chokehold on the strait.
Iran threatens the UAE
In recent weeks, Iran has launched several missiles and drone attacks on the Emirates, with nearly 50 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones on Tuesday. Tehran has warned that it would target the civilian infrastructure of any Gulf nation that supports any operation to seize its territory.
Since the war began, Iran has sent nearly 2,500 missiles and drones to the UAE, more than any other country, including Israel. Tehran has targeted hotels, airports, oil refineries and other infrastructure in the country.
Will the UAE join the war?
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WSJ reported, citing Gulf officials, that the country’s position on the war has now been changed. Before the war started, the UAE viewed Iran as a difficult neighbour with a logic to its political positions. But now the war has revealed a very different regime that was trying to sow panic with strikes on hotels and airports in Dubai, it added.
The report added that the UAE believes that Asian and European nations, which are currently hesitant, may participate in efforts to open the strait if the UNSC approves. However, Russia and China would veto the resolution. Although the Gulf officials have said that the UAE would still be prepared to join the military efforts, which could include mine clearance and other forms of support.
In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry pointed to a separate resolution passed by the UN that condemned Iranian attacks on its cities, along with another made by the UN International Maritime Organization, condemning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry said that there is “broad global consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved.”
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.
