After Trump tells allies to ‘get your own oil,’ UAE prepares for military action to open Strait of Hormuz

UAE hopes for UN resolution to support Hormuz Coalition but is ready to act alone

All Israel News Staff | Published: April 1, 2026

Map of Strait of Hormuz. Image by Pascal –  Public Domain, Wikipedia

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to join potential military operations to open the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported, after U.S. President Trump signaled he wants U.S. allies to deal with opening the strategic waterway.

Gulf officials told the newspaper that the UAE believes a UN Security Council resolution supporting military action could encourage countries in Asia and Europe to help clear the strait, but that the Emirates is prepared to join the fighting even without a resolution.

The WSJ recently reported that Trump is willing to end the war without resolving the issue.

On Tuesday, the U.S. president again slammed his allies for refusing to join the fighting against Iran, writing on Truth Social, “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT,” he added.

On Tuesday, oil prices in the U.S. reached $4 per gallon in some regions, the highest price since 2022. Trump later told CBS News that the U.S. would not immediately abandon the strait, but added, “At some point I will, not quite yet, but countries have to come in and take care of it.”

“Iran has been decimated, but they’re going to have to come in and do their own work.”

“There are countries around the world who ought be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well. It’s not just the United States Navy,” said U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.

The UAE would be the first Gulf country to become a direct combatant in the war, after being the prime target for Iranian attacks over the past month. The Iranian regime has pounded its cities, ports and energy installations with over 2,500 missiles and drones so far, even more than it shot at Israel.

Behind the scenes, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly been pushing the U.S. to go “for the kill” against the Iranian regime. The Emirati ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Al Otaiba, wrote in the WSJ last week that the war necessitates “a conclusive outcome that addresses Iran’s full range of threats: nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, terror proxies and blockades of international sea lanes.”

Now, the Emirates could be about to enter the war in earnest. Its diplomats have urged the U.S. and allies in Europe and Asia to form a coalition to open the strait by force, the WSJ reported.

The United Nations is set to vote this Thursday on a resolution to that effect. The resolution is sponsored by Bahrain. The report added that the UAE is still prepared to fight even if the resolution fails, as Russia and China could veto it, while France is proposing a different wording.

The Emirati official told the WSJ that the UAE’s military is reviewing its capabilities to contribute to the effort to open the straits, including the clearing of mines and offering support for later, probably U.S.-led operations, via its ports in the Gulf.

The Gulf state has also said the U.S. should occupy islands in the strategic waterway, including Abu Musa, which has been held by Iran for a half-century and is claimed by the UAE, other Arab officials said.

Following relatively quiet weeks, Iran has increased its attacks on the UAE in recent days, launching almost 50 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, an advisor to the president of the UAE, Anwar Gargash, who has released several strongly-worded statements against the regime, published a cryptic statement on ?, praising the nation’s military.

“A salute of pride and honor to the officers and soldiers of our valiant armed forces, and to every officer, policeman, paramedic, and firefighter – our pride that we cherish, the swords of justice and the impregnable fortress that protects the homeland and safeguards its security in the face of a treacherous and malevolent Iranian aggression. And as the poet said: I found them giving courage its due.”