Nobody should control the Strait of Hormuz, says UAE minister

 A UAE minister has stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain free from any single party’s control, describing the reopening and preservation of the waterway as a central priority in any potential security framework between Iran and the United States.

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said the UAE would not support any agreement that fails to clearly and permanently address concerns over missile and drone capabilities linked to Iran. She also called for broader action on Iran’s naval activities and uranium enrichment programme.

 Speaking at the Semafor World Economy event, Al Hashimy emphasised that international maritime routes are a shared global asset. “Nobody should control the Strait of Hormuz. That’s the whole point. International passageways are a public good,” she said.

Her remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and disruptions affecting one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, through which a significant share of global oil, gas, and fertiliser exports is transported.

Al Hashimy warned that instability in the Strait carries consequences far beyond the region, noting that Gulf countries play a major role in global energy and agricultural supply chains. Any disruption, she said, would have widespread economic repercussions affecting global markets.

She added that recent developments have highlighted broader geopolitical divisions within the Gulf region, which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, though she did not elaborate on specific differences.

Economic forecasts have already pointed to increased risks to global growth, with potential slowdown effects expected to be felt across both regional and international economies if tensions persist.

The UAE official reiterated that safeguarding maritime security and ensuring uninterrupted global trade routes remain essential priorities for regional and international stability.