Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy participated in a virtual meeting of Foreign Ministers on the Strait of Hormuz, hosted by the United Kingdom. Al Hashimy underscored the gravity of the ongoing regional situation, highlighting that since February 28, the UAE has been targeted by Iranian terrorist and unprovoked attacks, including over 2,500 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drone strikes. She emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important strategic maritime passages, through which various goods and essential commodities pass. Therefore, any threat to the Strait or disruption in supplies directly jeopardizes global food security at a time when millions worldwide face increasing risks of food shortages. She stressed that the consequences of navigation disruptions will not be limited to developing and vulnerable countries. Moreover, these attacks pose grave economic, humanitarian, and environmental risks to vital passages. The Gulf supplies approximately 25% of natural gas production, 20% of global oil, and 70% of the world's petrochemical needs. Furthermore, 33% of global fertilizer is exported from Gulf countries. Al Hashimy reaffirmed the UAE's support for international efforts to safeguard the freedom of navigation, including UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and the IMO Council's decision. She underscored that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and cannot be subject to unilateral restrictions or conditions imposed by any single country. Al Hashimy reiterated the UAE's demand that Iran immediately cease its terrorist and brutal threats and attacks, comply with its obligations under international law, respect freedom of navigation, and ensure safe passage for commercial ships. She stressed the need for a conclusive and comprehensive outcome that addresses Iran's full range of threats, including nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, terror proxies, and blockades of international sea lanes. The UAE reiterated that any attempt to close or obstruct navigation, or use the Strait as a tool of economic coercion is wholly unacceptable, lacks legal grounds, and represents a direct threat to international freedom of navigation, the safety of seafarers, the global economy, and energy security. Al Hashimy warned that the obstruction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has resulted in decreased ship transits, posing grave risks to global energy markets, the maritime transport sector, and international supply chains. The attacks mostly targeted civilian infrastructure, despite the UAE not being a party to the war and having made extensive efforts in recent months to prevent this escalation. She reaffirmed that the unprovoked Iranian attacks against commercial vessels in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz represent economic warfare and piracy, and constitute a flagrant violation of countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity.
