Officials from the United Arab Emirates said the country is preparing to assist the United States and allied nations in using force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. If carried out, this would make the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to become directly involved in the ongoing war with Iran. Emirati officials have begun efforts to persuade the United States and other partners to remove Iran’s blockade of the strategic waterway by any means necessary.

According to the officials, the UAE is working to pass a resolution at the United Nations Security Council authorizing such action. Emirati diplomats have also called on the United States and military powers in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to forcibly reopen the strait. A UAE official stated that Iran’s leadership believes it is fighting for survival and is willing to drag the global economy down by tightening control over the strait.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran has launched extensive attacks on U.S. infrastructure located in the UAE. The Emirati foreign ministry did not deny the report, emphasizing instead that there is broad global consensus on maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.