Strait of Hormuz (AP Photo)
Will the UAE enter the Iran war and side with the United States against Tehran? After being hit several times over the past month and with Iran tightening its grip on the vital oil corridor – the Strait of Hormuz – Abu Dhabi has sufficient reasons to enter the battlefield.According to a report published by the Wall Street Journal, the UAE is now actively considering a military role in the conflict. An Arab official told the newspaper that the country is preparing to support the United States and its allies in reopening one of the busiest oil routes in the world.
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If the UAE takes this step, it will become the first Gulf country to enter the war directly as a combatant, a major shift after weeks of trying to stay on the sidelines despite repeated Iranian attacks.
At the heart of this transformation lies the Strait of Hormuz, the lifeline of global energy flows and central to Abu Dhabi’s oil economy. Iran’s move to strangle the corridor has dealt a heavy blow to the UAE, causing it to rethink its long-standing cautious strategy.Meanwhile, not only is the vital Hormuz waterway strangled, but Iran’s repeated strikes on the major Emirati cities of Dubai, Sharjah, and the capital, Abu Dhabi, make the cause all the more important.
Lobbying for global support and alliance
Behind the scenes, the UAE is pushing for international support. Officials told the Wall Street Journal that Abu Dhabi is pushing for a UN Security Council resolution authorizing action against Iran.Emirati diplomats are also urging the United States and major 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 willing to drag the global economy down by holding the Strait hostage.The same official said that the UAE is reviewing how to contribute militarily, including clearing mines and providing support operations.
High-risk options are on the table
There are also more aggressive ideas on the table. According to Arab officials, the UAE has proposed that the United States occupy strategic islands such as Abu Musa, which Iran has controlled for decades but which the UAE claims.
Publicly, the UAE has articulated its position on global standards.
Its Foreign Ministry referred to United Nations resolutions condemning Iran’s attacks and the disruption of maritime traffic. She said that there is “broad global consensus on the necessity of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Gulf mood is hardening against Iran
Sentiments in the Gulf region appear to be changing. Saudi Arabia and other countries are increasingly hostile toward the Iranian leadership and want the war to continue until the regime is weakened or removed, although they have not yet committed to sending troops.Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, supports the United Nations resolution that is expected to be put to a vote soon.
From mediation to military accounts
The UAE’s evolving position represents a sharp shift from its previous approach. For years, Dubai has been a commercial hub with deep financial ties to Iran, and Emirati leaders have often tried to mediate tensions.Immediately before the war, diplomatic efforts were still underway, including the visit of Iranian official Ali Larijani to Abu Dhabi.Now the calculations have changed. The UAE aligns more closely with President Donald Trump’s push to urge allies to take more responsibility — particularly in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Trump is even open to ending the war without reopening the Strait, leaving that burden to regional players.
Increased risks and threats of retaliation
But entering into 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 shells were fired in one day.Tehran warned that it would target civilian infrastructure in any Gulf country that supports military action against it.“They can only enter this war to confront a more aggressive Iran, continue to absorb hits to critical infrastructure and perhaps investor confidence, and then struggle to rebuild relations with their neighbor, especially if Trump chooses to declare victory before reopening the Strait or crippling Iran’s missile and drone capabilities,” Elizabeth Dent said.
The economic ramifications are already clear
To date, Iran has launched nearly 2,500 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than any other country. These attacks disrupted air travel, harmed tourism, shook real estate markets, and caused worker layoffs, challenging the UAE’s image as a stable commercial center.The country has responded with tough measures, including restricting Iranian citizens and closing Iran-linked establishments in Dubai.
Can the strait be reopened by force?
However, the Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest concern. Gulf officials believe that with support from the United Nations, countries in Europe and Asia may join efforts to reopen it.
But even without this approval, the UAE appears ready to act.Whether military action will succeed is another question. Analysts warn that securing the strait will require controlling not only the waterway, but also nearby territory, a complex and risky process.“I don’t think we can do it,” Representative Adam Smith said. He added: “All Iran has to do is be able to keep the strait under threat, which means it needs one drone, it needs one mine, it needs one small suicide boat.”
A crucial choice for the UAE
However, some Gulf countries 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: remain vulnerable to constant attacks and economic pressure, or enter a war that could reshape the region — and its future — in unpredictable ways.