Strait of Hormuz (AP photo)
Will the UAE enter the Iran war and side with the US against Tehran? After being struck multiple times over the past month and with Iran tightening its grip on the crucial oil chokepoint – the Strait of Hormuz — Abu Dhabi has enough reasons to make an entry in the battlefield.According to a Wall Street Journal report, the UAE is now actively weighing a military role in the conflict. An Arab official told the publication that the country is preparing to support the United States and its allies in reopening one of the world’s busiest oil routes.
If the UAE takes that step, it would become the first Persian Gulf country to directly enter the war as a combatant, a major shift after weeks of trying to stay on the sidelines despite repeated Iranian attacks.
At the heart of this shift is the Strait of Hormuz, a lifeline for global energy flows and central to Abu Dhabi’s oil economy. Iran’s move to choke the passage has hit the UAE hard, pushing it to rethink its long-held strategy of caution.Meanwhile, not just the strangling of crucial Hormuz waterway but repeated Iranian strikes on key UAE cities of Dubai, Sharjah and capital Abu Dhabi makes the reason all the more weighty.
Push for global backing and coalition
Behind the scenes, the UAE is lobbying for international backing. Officials told WSJ that Abu Dhabi is pushing for a UN Security Council resolution that would authorise action against Iran.Emirati diplomats are also urging the US and key powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to reopen the strait, even if it requires force. An Emirati official warned that Iran sees the war as existential and may be ready to drag the global economy down by holding the strait hostage.The same official said the UAE is reviewing how it can contribute militarily, including clearing mines and offering support operations.
High-stakes options on the table
There are also more aggressive ideas on the table. According to Arab officials, the UAE has suggested that the US occupy strategic islands such as Abu Musa, which Iran has controlled for decades but is claimed by the UAE.
In public, the UAE has framed its position around global norms. Its Foreign Ministry pointed to UN resolutions condemning Iran’s attacks and the disruption in maritime traffic. It said there is “broad global consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved.”
Gulf mood hardens against Iran
Across the Gulf, sentiment appears to be shifting. Saudi Arabia and other states are increasingly hostile toward Iran’s leadership and want the war to continue until the regime is weakened or removed, though they have not yet committed troops.Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is backing a UN resolution expected to come up for a vote soon.
From mediation to military calculations
The UAE’s evolving stance marks a sharp break from its earlier approach. For years, Dubai remained a commercial hub with deep financial links to Iran, and Emirati leaders often tried to mediate tensions.Just before the war, diplomatic efforts were still underway, including a visit to Abu Dhabi by Iranian official Ali Larijani.Now, the calculus has changed. The UAE is aligning more closely with President Donald Trump’s push for allies to shoulder more responsibility — particularly in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Reports suggest Trump is even open to ending the war without reopening the strait, leaving that burden to regional players.
Rising risks and retaliation threats
But entering the conflict carries serious risks. Iran has already intensified its attacks on the UAE, launching waves of missiles and drones. In one recent escalation, nearly 50 projectiles were fired in a single day.Tehran has warned it will target civilian infrastructure in any Gulf country that supports military action against it.“They could step into this war only to face a more aggressive Iran, continue to absorb hits to critical infrastructure and potentially investor confidence, and then struggle to rebuild ties with their neighbor, particularly if Trump elects to declare victory before reopening the strait or crippling Iran’s missile and drone capabilities,” said Elizabeth Dent.
Economic fallout already visible
So far, Iran has launched nearly 2,500 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than at any other country. These attacks have disrupted air travel, hurt tourism, shaken property markets and triggered layoffs, challenging the UAE’s image as a stable business hub.The country has responded with tough measures, including restricting Iranian nationals and shutting down Iranian-linked institutions in Dubai.
Can the Strait be reopened by force?
Still, the biggest concern remains the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf officials believe that with UN backing, countries in Europe and Asia might join efforts to reopen it. But even without such approval, the UAE appears ready to act.Whether military action would succeed is another question. Analysts warn that securing the strait would require control not just of the waterway but also nearby land — a complex and risky operation.“I don’t think we can do it,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “All Iran has to do is be able to keep the strait under threat, which means they need one drone, they need one mine, they need one small suicide boat.”
A defining choice for the UAE
Even so, some Gulf states believe the risk is worth taking. Allowing a hostile power to control such a vital route could have long-term consequences for global trade and regional stability.For the UAE, the decision now is stark: stay exposed to ongoing attacks and economic strain, or step into a war that could reshape the region — and its own future — in unpredictable ways.
