“GUARDIANS OF THE GULF”: UAE Pushes for Multi-Nation Naval Shield
ABU DHABI / NEW YORK — The United Arab Emirates has intensified its diplomatic campaign to form a multinational naval coalition to break Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports from the Financial Times and Arab News on March 26–27, 2026, Abu Dhabi is signaling a historic readiness to deploy its own naval assets and is actively lobbying the UN Security Council to authorize “all necessary means” to restore freedom of navigation.
The move comes as the UAE faces the brunt of the conflict, with officials revealing that over 60% of Iranian missile and drone attacks in the region have targeted Emirati infrastructure.
The “Chapter VII” Draft: A Push for Force
Working in close coordination with the UAE, Bahrain has officially circulated a “zero draft” resolution at the UN Security Council that would dramatically escalate the international response.
- Authorization of Force: The draft invokes Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which would legally permit member states—individually or through a voluntary coalition—to use military force to neutralize threats to shipping in and around the Strait.
- Scope: The mandate would extend into the territorial waters of littoral states (Iran and Oman) to ensure “transit passage” and deter mine-laying or drone swarms.
- The “22-Nation” Readiness: On March 21, the UAE and Bahrain joined 20 other nations—including the UK, France, Japan, and South Korea—in a joint statement expressing “readiness” to contribute to safe passage efforts.
The Diplomatic Split: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Despite the high-profile joint statement, the formation of an active combat fleet remains stalled by significant geopolitical caution.
| Position | Countries | Rationale |
| Leading the Charge | UAE, Bahrain | Existential threat to their economies; direct targets of IRGC aggression. |
| Backing (Vocal) | U.S., UK | President Trump has called for a coalition, saying the Strait should be “policed by those who use it.” |
| The “Cautious” Middle | France, Germany, Japan | Signed the “readiness” statement but are wary of joining a U.S.-led mission that could lead to full-scale war. |
| The “Silent” Neighbors | Saudi Arabia, Kuwait | While supportive of security, they remain cautious about public military entanglement while diplomatic channels are open. |
| The Veto Block | Russia, China | Expected to veto any “use of force” resolution at the UN, viewing it as a Western escalation. |
Operational Reality: “Sea Drones and Warthogs”
While the multinational force is debated, the “clearing” of the Strait is currently being handled by a smaller, high-tech vanguard.
- ADNOC Tanker Success: On March 19, the UAE’s state oil company, ADNOC, successfully transited its second product tanker, the Abu Dhabi III, through the Strait with its AIS (tracking) turned off—a rare victory against the blockade.
- U.S. Drone Speedboats: The deployment of GARC uncrewed speedboats is providing the real-time surveillance needed for any future coalition fleet to operate without high human risk.
- The “Toll Booth” Tactic: Iran has countered by declaring it will only allow “non-hostile” vessels (specifically mentioning those from India and Malaysia) to pass, while barring anyone “associated with the aggressors.”
What’s Next?
The UAE’s lobbying efforts are timed to coincide with the April 6 deadline of the 10-day pause. If the 15-point U.S. proposal fails to secure a permanent reopening of the waterway, the UAE is expected to push for a “Coalition of the Willing” to execute the reopening by force, regardless of a UN veto.
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