UAE Breaks Neutrality, Urges UN Force to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
ABU DHABI / NEW YORK — In a historic shift that could signal the collapse of regional neutrality in the Persian Gulf conflict, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially called on the United Nations Security Council to authorize “all necessary measures”—including the use of military force—to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, indicate that Abu Dhabi is now actively lobbying for a resolution that would establish a multi-national coalition to break Iran’s maritime chokehold.
The UAE’s move follows a month of high-intensity strikes on its own soil, including a recent Iranian attack on fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and the targeting of AWS infrastructure in Bahrain, which has crippled regional digital banking and commerce.
1. A Shift from Diplomacy to “Force”
For the first four weeks of Operation Epic Fury, the UAE maintained a cautious stance, focusing on defense and regional mediation. That era appears to have ended.
- Lobbying for Authorization: Emirati diplomats are reportedly urging the UN to pass a resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which allows for military intervention to restore international peace and security.
- The Coalitions of the Willing: The UAE is calling for a broad alliance involving the U.S., European, and Asian military powers (specifically Japan and India) to forcibly clear the Strait of mines and hostile Iranian naval assets.
- Abu Musa Island: In a provocative strategic demand, some Arab officials indicate the UAE is urging the U.S. to “occupy” several strategic islands in the Strait, including Abu Musa, which has been held by Iran for half a century but is claimed by the UAE.
2. The Economic Trigger: ADNOC Speaks Out
The shift in policy was punctuated by unusually blunt remarks from Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the state-owned ADNOC.
- “Economic Extortion”: Al Jaber stated that Iran’s closure of the Strait represents “global economic extortion” that the world can no longer tolerate.
- Fuel Price Surge: Domestic pressure in the UAE has reached a breaking point, with local fuel prices projected to rise by as much as 70% this month due to the logistical paralysis.
- Regional Vulnerability: As the first Gulf nation to signal a willingness to become an active combatant, the UAE is acknowledging that its “integrated, multi-layered air defense network” cannot protect its economy if the global energy arteries remain severed.
3. Geopolitical Alignment (April 2, 2026)
| Entity | Position on UN Force | Strategic Goal |
| UAE | Strong Support | Reopen Strait; Reclaim Abu Musa Island. |
| U.S. (Trump) | Supportive / Monitoring | Reopen Strait by April 6 or escalate. |
| China / Russia | Likely to Veto | Prefer “Regional-Only” (Iran-Oman) solution. |
| Iran (Araghchi) | Aggressive Rejection | Maintaining “Internal Waters” doctrine. |
| Oman | Silent / Mediating | Maintain neutral transit role. |
Analysis: The End of “Gulf Neutrality”
The UAE’s request to the UN is a high-stakes gamble. By inviting a formal international military intervention, Abu Dhabi is effectively abandoning its long-standing “de-escalation” policy with Tehran. This suggests that the UAE leadership believes the Iranian regime is either too weakened to retaliate effectively or that the risk of a global depression outweighs the risk of a direct war.
As President Trump prepares for his 9:00 PM ET address, the UAE’s demand provides him with a powerful diplomatic “hook.” He can now frame the potential escalation of Operation Epic Fury not just as an American mission, but as a response to an urgent request for help from the world’s leading energy producers. For the UN Security Council, the resolution is a “moment of truth”: a veto by Russia or China would leave the U.S. and UAE to act unilaterally, potentially triggering a total regional conflagration.