UAE commits to join multinational force to reopen Hormuz — first Gulf state to publicly pledge
The UAE told Washington and other Western allies it would participate in a multinational maritime task force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported. The UAE is the first Gulf state to explicitly commit. It comes as France leads 35-country planning for a 'strictly defensive' escort mission and the UAE has already suffered 10 dead and 372+ missile attacks from Iran. Participation would put UAE forces in direct confrontation with Iran's Hormuz interdiction operations.
Actor responses
The US received UAE's commitment to join a multinational Hormuz reopening force, per FT. Washington has been building the multilateral maritime coalition while GARC autonomous vessels already patrol the Gulf under Operation Epic Fury.
Iran has not responded to the FT report of UAE joining a Hormuz force. Iran maintains interdiction operations in the strait and has already struck UAE territory 372+ times since Feb 28.
UAE commitment to join a Hormuz force aligns with the 35-country France-led planning for a strictly defensive escort mission. Gulf state participation adds legitimacy and regional standing to the coalition.
Sources