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‘We won't surrender’: De-escalation won't stop Iranian attacks, Emirati expert says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • An Emirati expert stated the UAE will not surrender to Iranian demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The UAE claims sovereignty over three islands occupied by Iran since 1971.
  • The expert noted the UAE's diversified economy makes it resilient to Iranian pressure, unlike some other Gulf states.

The United Arab Emirates will not yield to Iran's demands concerning the Strait of Hormuz, according to former Emirati diplomat Obaid al-Zaabi. He stated that years of proactive planning have positioned the UAE to resist any attempts by the Islamic Republic to control or charge fees for passage through the vital waterway.

The United Arab Emirates, thanks to years of anticipatory planning, is not in a position where it will need to bow to the Islamic Republic’s demands to administer and charge fees for the crossing of the Strait of Hormuz

— Obaid al-ZaabiThe United Arab Emirates, thanks to years of anticipatory planning, is not in a position where it will need to bow to the Islamic Republic’s demands to administer and charge fees for the crossing of the Strait of Hormuz, former Emirati diplomat Obaid al-Zaabi told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Al-Zaabi's comments come as Iran has adopted a more assertive stance on Hormuz. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi recently declared that Iran should control the entirety of the inbound shipping lane and most of the outbound lane. Al-Zaabi rejected Oman's proposal to divide control of the strait, emphasizing the UAE's claim to the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb, which Iran occupied in 1971. "The three islands in Hormuz are our islands, and we claim them, and they killed Emirati people when they took them in 1971, so we are not okay with their policy. We do not accept Oman’s policy," he asserted.

the entirety of the inbound shipping lane and the majority of the outbound shipping lane should be entirely under Iranian control.

— Kazem GharibabadiKazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister of the Islamic Republic, said on Tuesday that the entirety of the inbound shipping lane and the majority of the outbound shipping lane should be entirely under Iranian control.

While the UAE refuses to pay tolls, al-Zaabi acknowledged that other Gulf states might concede to Iran's demands to avoid conflict, lacking the leverage to resist. He highlighted the UAE's crucial role as a global re-export hub, noting Iran's heavy reliance on Dubai's port infrastructure due to its own limited capabilities. "The truth is, they need us. They don’t have a big port that can handle the kind of port work that Dubai does," he said.

The three islands in Hormuz are our islands, and we claim them, and they killed Emirati people when they took them in 1971, so we are not okay with their policy. We do not accept Oman’s policy

— Obaid al-ZaabiThe three islands in Hormuz – Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb – that were taken under Iranian occupation since 1971 were reason enough to oppose the plan. 'The three islands in Hormuz are our islands, and we claim them, and they killed Emirati people when they took them in 1971, so we are not okay with their policy. We do not accept Oman’s policy,' he asserted.

Furthermore, al-Zaabi pointed to the UAE's diversified economy as a source of resilience. With multiple ports, energy sources, and pipelines, Abu Dhabi can withstand more pressure than nations like Qatar, which heavily depends on natural gas. This economic strength, combined with technological investments, has helped the UAE avoid the extreme inflation plaguing other regional actors, including Iran. Al-Zaabi described the current situation as a "mutually hurting stalemate."

The truth is, they need us. They don’t have a big port that can handle the kind of port work that Dubai does. They do not have legal trading ability with other countries, so they are heavily reliant on the UAE’s infrastructure for themselves

— Obaid al-ZaabiThe UAE’s ability to ship items to and from Iran makes the country too valuable to restrict, he suggested. 'The truth is, they need us. They don’t have a big port that can handle the kind of port work that Dubai does. They do not have legal trading ability with other countries, so they are heavily reliant on the UAE’s infrastructure for themselves,' he continued.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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