The UAE has projected a firmer regional posture after the United States and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding aimed at halting hostilities, with Dr Anwar Gargash saying the country had come through the crisis “stronger, more resilient and more confident”.Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the UAE had worked with credibility to avert a wider war while protecting its sovereignty and national interests. His remarks followed a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement that welcomed the understanding as a chance to reinforce regional security through dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law.
The statement placed full implementation at the centre of the UAE’s response, calling for an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities, respect for state sovereignty, the principles of good neighbourliness and the protection of maritime routes. It singled out freedom of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a priority because of the waterway’s role in global trade, energy security and regional economic stability.
Washington and Tehran have described the understanding as a framework for stopping the fighting and moving into a phased diplomatic process. The memorandum is expected to be formalised in Switzerland, with the reopening of Hormuz and the lifting of restrictions around Iranian ports tied to early implementation. Harder issues, including nuclear questions, sanctions and verification arrangements, are expected to be addressed through further talks over a 60-day period.
For Abu Dhabi, the agreement is not being treated as an end point. The emphasis on compliance reflects concern that any fragile truce could unravel if maritime security, missile activity, proxy networks and the nuclear file are left outside a broader political settlement. Gargash had warned earlier that a ceasefire without a political framework would risk preparing the ground for another round of confrontation.
The UAE’s position has combined support for diplomacy with a clear assertion that sovereignty and civilian infrastructure must be protected. During the conflict, the Gulf region faced attacks on shipping, energy assets and critical infrastructure, while insurers, shipowners and energy traders reassessed risk across the Gulf. Abu Dhabi’s messaging has sought to separate engagement with Iran from acceptance of coercive activity in maritime corridors.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the strategic core of the issue. The narrow passage links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as the primary route for oil and gas exports from several regional producers. Around a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade crossed the strait in 2025, while more than 110 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas passed through it. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have pipeline capacity that can bypass the strait, but most Gulf producers have few practical alternatives for large-scale exports.
That vulnerability explains why Abu Dhabi has framed freedom of navigation as both a sovereign and international concern. Any disruption to Hormuz can lift energy prices, delay cargoes, strain Asian fuel markets and raise costs for import-dependent economies. The impact extends beyond oil and gas, with fertilisers, metals and industrial commodities also exposed to shipping delays through the same corridor.
The diplomatic tone also reflects the UAE’s wider foreign policy approach over the past several years: de-escalation where possible, security deterrence where necessary and economic continuity as a national priority. Abu Dhabi has maintained channels across competing power centres, building ties with Washington, Tehran, regional neighbours, Asian energy buyers and international institutions while investing heavily in its role as a commercial and logistics hub.
Topics
Spotlight