UAE says the use of Hormuz must be guaranteed in any US-Iran deal

By Samia Nakhoul and Maha El Dahan

Dubai, April 6 (Reuters) – Any solution to the U.S.-Iran war must guarantee access to the Strait of Hormuz, UAE official Anwar Gargash said, warning that a deal that failed to rein in Iran’s nuclear program, missiles and drones would pave the way for a “more dangerous, more unstable Middle East.”

Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, said in a briefing over the weekend that the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil artery, cannot be weaponized, emphasizing that its security is a global economic imperative, not a regional bargaining chip.

“The Strait of Hormuz cannot be held hostage by any country,” Gargash said, adding that freedom of navigation in the waterway “must be part of the solution to any dispute with a clear agreement on this issue.”

Gargash said the UAE wants the war to end but warns against a ceasefire that would leave the root causes of instability unresolved.

“We don’t want to see more and more escalation,” he said. “But we don’t want a ceasefire that doesn’t address some of the core issues that will create a much more dangerous environment in the region, particularly its (Iran’s) nuclear program and the missiles and drones that continue to rain down on us and other countries.”

US President Donald Trump has threatened to rain down “hell” on Tehran if it does not reach a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday. In an expletive-filled post on the Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump threatened further attacks on Iran’s energy and transportation infrastructure that critics say would constitute a war crime.

The United States and Israel have pounded Iran with missiles and air strikes for more than five weeks to destroy what they say is an imminent threat from the country’s nuclear weapons development program, ballistic missile arsenal and support for regional proxy militias.

THE WORST CASE SCENARIO EMERGES

Gargash said the United Arab Emirates is ready to join any US-led international effort to secure shipping through the strait.

Normally about a fifth of the global supply of oil and liquefied gas passes through here each day, but Iran’s actions have severely restricted traffic, triggering a global energy crisis.

The conflict broke out on February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran after talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at achieving a nuclear deal reached a deadlock. Iran has retaliated with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel, US military bases in the region and the Gulf’s vital energy infrastructure, including airports, ports and commercial hubs.

According to regional officials, the UAE has suffered heavier Iranian attacks than other Gulf countries.

Gargash has said for decades that the most likely worst-case scenario for the UAE is a full-blown Iranian attack, a scenario that is now emerging. Despite this, he said the country had coped well, showing resilience and resourcefulness under pressure.

He said the UAE’s economic fundamentals remained strong, making the country ready for recovery, but acknowledged that this would require effort.

Gargash said Iran’s strategy would likely toughen rather than reduce the Gulf’s security alignment with Washington, solidify the U.S. military role in the region and strengthen Israel’s footprint. He said the United States will remain the UAE’s key security partner and Abu Dhabi will double down on that relationship as regional threats intensify.

Iran’s attacks on energy facilities and shipping lines in the Gulf have been seen by regional officials as a calculated attempt to increase costs for Washington’s Arab allies in the Gulf. By striking oil facilities, ports and key waterways “including the Bosphorus,” Iran turned to Gulf states alarmed by the economic shock and regional spread and pressured the United States to halt its campaign.

This logic was based on years of Gulf efforts to balance ties with Washington and Tehran, keep tensions in check and avoid direct conflict. Many Gulf countries have reestablished diplomatic relations with Iran and sought to protect their economies from regional shocks, believing that engagement would reduce risk.

Gargash stated that the Iranian leadership is fighting to protect “the regime, not the country” and said that no normal government would accept such destruction, but would only claim to resist. He said the UAE was not seeking hostility with Iran but warned that trust was impossible under the current Tehran government.

He said that the UAE is grateful for the international support it has received, singling out France as a committed partner and praising Washington especially for its outstanding support in strengthening the UAE’s air defense capabilities.

(Written by Samia Nakhoul; Edited by Lincoln Feast.)