UAE Calls for Guaranteed Strait of Hormuz Access Amid Rising Iran Tensions

The United Arab Emirates has stressed that any resolution to the ongoing conflict involving Iran must ensure secure and uninterrupted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

According to reports by Reuters, Anwar Gargash, who serves as a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said that freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway must be guaranteed in any agreement involving the United States and Iran. 

Gargash warned that failing to address Iran’s nuclear programme, missile capabilities, and drone activities could further destabilise the Middle East. 

“We don’t ​want to see more and more escalation,” he said. “But we don’t want a ceasefire that fails to address some of the main issues ⁠that will create a much more dangerous environment in the region…notably (Iran’s) nuclear programme, the missiles and drones that are still raining down on us and on other countries.”

He also emphasised that the Strait of Hormuz should not be used as a political bargaining tool and called on the international community to ensure the security of global shipping routes.