UAE accuses Iran of holding Strait of Hormuz “hostage,” pushes for an international maritime task force

• The UAE, backed by Bahrain, is urging Western allies to form an international maritime task force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for 20% of global oil supply. Iran’s blockade—enforced via missile threats and drone attacks—has drastically reduced shipping traffic, risking a global energy crisis.
• While the UAE and Bahrain push for military deterrence, Saudi Arabia remains cautious despite warning Iran that its patience is “not unlimited.” France has discussed coalition-building but only post-conflict; Germany outright refuses involvement, calling it “not our war.”
• Tehran warns of a “strong response” against the UAE for supporting U.S.-Israeli operations, signaling no retreat from its blockade strategy.
• The 1980s “Tanker War” saw similar disruptions, prompting U.S. naval escorts (Operation Earnest Will). Gulf states now fear Iran may permanently weaponize Hormuz, pushing some (like Saudi Arabia and UAE) to explore alternative oil routes.
• A prolonged blockade threatens energy prices, inflation and supply chains, with UAE framing the crisis as “ransom paid at the gas pump, grocery store, and pharmacy.” Diplomatic efforts intensify, but hesitation among Western allies risks prolonged instability.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused Iran of effectively holding the Strait of Hormuz “hostage” and is pushing for an international maritime task force to reopen the critical waterway, according to a Financial Times report. The move comes as tensions escalate in the Persian Gulf following Iran’s retaliatory actions against U.S. and Israeli military operations.

The UAE, alongside Bahrain, is now lobbying Western allies to form a coalition to safeguard shipping lanes through the strait—a chokepoint for roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply.

Escalating tensions over Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran’s recent blockade—enforced through missile threats and drone attacks—has drastically reduced commercial shipping traffic, raising fears of a prolonged global energy crisis, BrightU.AI‘s Enoch notes.

“The focus is on creating as broad an international force as possible. It’s not about going to war with Iran. Iran went to war on the global economy and people need to stand up,” a source familiar with the discussions told the Financial Times.

Senior Emirati official Sultan al-Jaber, who met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance this week, framed the situation starkly: “Iran holds Hormuz hostage, every nation pays the ransom, at the gas pump, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy.”

Gulf states divided on response

While the UAE and Bahrain have taken a hardline stance, other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members—including Saudi Arabia—remain cautious. Riyadh has warned that its patience with Iranian aggression is “not unlimited,” but it has yet to commit to military involvement.

France has engaged in talks with dozens of nations about contributing to a maritime force, but only after hostilities between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iran cease. Germany has outright rejected participation, with its defense minister stating, “This is not our war.”

Meanwhile, Iran has signaled it will not back down. A senior Iranian intelligence official told The Cradle that Tehran is preparing a “strong response” against the UAE for its “active role” in supporting U.S.-Israeli operations.

Historical context and strategic stakes

The Strait of Hormuz has been contested for decades, with Iran periodically threatening closure during periods of heightened conflict. The 1980s “Tanker War” saw repeated attacks on oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq conflict, prompting the U.S. to launch Operation Earnest Will to escort ships.

Today, Gulf states fear Iran may permanently weaponize the strait—either to pressure Western powers or to reshape regional power dynamics. Some nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are reportedly exploring alternative energy routes, such as pipelines bypassing Hormuz entirely.

As diplomatic efforts intensify, the UAE’s push for an international maritime force underscores the precarious balance in the Persian Gulf. With Iran unwilling to yield and Western allies hesitant to escalate, the standoff threatens to prolong economic instability. The coming weeks will test whether a coalition can form—or if Hormuz remains a hostage to broader geopolitical strife.

Watch the video below that talks about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

This video is from the HammerHardy channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

FT.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com