Iran is “trying to give the global economy a heart attack” by restrictions on access to the Strait of Hormuz, a senior United Arab Emirates (UAE) official warned as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
Speaking to Fox News, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Lana Nusseibeh said the closure of the critical energy route is disturbing the global supply of oil and gas and threatening global economic stability.
Critical Global Trade Route in Trouble
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors and carries a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Any imbalance in the waterway has immediate impacts on international markets.
Nusseibeh highlighted that the impact is far from limited to the Middle East.
“What happens in the Gulf clearly doesn’t stay in the Gulf,” she said, warning that Iran’s actions are having an impact on the entire world economy.
UAE Accuses Iran of Escalation
The official in the UAE accused Iran of probing regional allies and escalating the conflict with military aggression.
According to Nusseibeh, Iran has fired over 2,200 missiles and drones, with the overwhelming number, almost 89%, used to target civilian infrastructure in the UAE.
“This has to stop,” she said, calling the attacks reckless and unjustified.
She added that Iran’s actions go beyond regional aggression and represent an overall threat to security on the international stage.
Diplomatic Efforts Failed
In spite of the mounting tensions, the UAE has tried several times to resolve issues through diplomacy.
Nusseibeh unveiled that she traveled to Tehran earlier this year for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which were described at the time as “constructive.”
However, Iran ultimately opted for confrontation over negotiation, she said.
“We’ve been trying the diplomatic channel for decades,” she said. “Instead of addressing concerns they escalated.”
Broader Strife and World Worries
The situation has caused alarm in Washington and among global allies, especially over Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities, and support for armed groups in the region.
The United States has been continuing to talk with Iran, but progress is uncertain. Meanwhile military action in the region has escalated with growing concern about further escalation.
Pushing for a Solution – But With clear Conditions
While the UAE continues to support diplomacy, it was made clear by Nusseibeh that any resolution requires a change in Iran’s behavior.
“The UAE is always for a diplomatic off-ramp,” she said. “But diplomacy only works when unacceptable actions are identified as such.”
She ended by saying the onus is now on Iran.
“The path forward — and the light at the end of the tunnel — is in Iran’s hands.”
