Reopening the Strait of Hormuz may require multinational force, experts say at Abu Dhabi forum

The Strait of Hormuz may need a multinational security framework to reopen it and keep it open, experts said at a forum in Abu Dhabi. The proposal could involve regional countries working alongside major naval powers to protect freedom of navigation and prevent further disruption to global shipping.

The discussion came after the latest conflict and focused on how the strategic waterway could be reopened. Speakers argued that relying only on the United States or other traditional Western powers would not provide a sustainable long-term solution. They said the strait’s importance to global trade, energy supplies and food security made it an international concern, not only a regional one.

The panel also stressed that Iran would have to be part of any lasting settlement. “A permanent solution must have Iran at the negotiating table,” one speaker said, adding that the issue could not be resolved through force alone and that Tehran would ultimately need to accept negotiations and make concessions.

Participants questioned the predictability of US policy and said Gulf states could not base their long-term security arrangements entirely on decisions by successive US administrations. They called for stronger regional military and defensive capabilities while maintaining cooperation with international partners.

One practical proposal was a regional operations centre involving Gulf states, major powers and commercial shipping interests. It could coordinate information for vessels, issue warnings and use satellite imagery to identify safer routes, allowing commercial operators to make decisions using real-time security information. The forum session, titled “Strait of Hormuz: Open by Law, Contested by Power,” featured several maritime and security experts and was moderated by Khamis Al Ali.

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A permanent solution must have Iran at the negotiating table.