UAE says Iran cannot be trusted over Hormuz, peace efforts at an impasse

Reporting from Washington and Dubai, The Straits Times captures the pervasive mistrust surrounding the Iran conflict and its impact on the crucial Strait of Hormuz. A senior UAE official's assertion that Tehran 'cannot be trusted' underscores the deep-seated suspicion among regional players and the US. The article highlights the severe global economic consequences of the ongoing blockade and counter-blockade, with the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas, remaining largely impassable. This disruption has not only driven up energy prices to multi-year highs but also fueled concerns about a potential global economic downturn. The narrative also points to the precarious state of peace efforts, with mediator Pakistan struggling to reconvene talks. The mention of potential new US military strikes, despite an existing ceasefire, adds another layer of volatility, keeping markets jittery. The UAE's emphasis on 'collective international will and provisions of international law' as guarantors of freedom of navigation contrasts sharply with Iran's actions, framing the conflict as a struggle between international norms and unilateral aggression. The article also notes the looming deadline under the US War Powers Resolution, adding a domestic political dimension to the international crisis.

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Tehran could not be trusted over any unilateral arrangements it makes for the Strait of Hormuz, in a sign of deep mistrust on all sides as efforts to end the Iran war remained at an impasse.