The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which suffered heavy damage from the war between the United States and Israel and Iran, said it could join the so-called "Hormuz Strait escort coalition" being pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On the 17th (local time), according to Reuters, Anwar Gargash, the UAE president's diplomatic adviser, said at an online event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a U.S. think tank, that the country could join U.S.-led international efforts to ensure the safety and security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Gargash said that although nothing has been formally agreed yet, "key countries" in Asia, the Middle East and Europe have a responsibility to ensure the flow of trade and energy. He emphasized, "This is in everyone's interest, and everyone has a responsibility."
Earlier, President Trump asked allies in Europe and Asia, including South Korea and Japan, to dispatch warships to escort the Strait of Hormuz, but was effectively ignored. On the day, aiming at allies showing a lukewarm response to the request, Trump also showed displeasure, saying, "No further help is needed."
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Rubio said he mourned those killed by Iran's indiscriminate attacks and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to UAE security.
Since the outbreak of the war, the UAE has been hit by 1,936 missile and drone attacks from Iran. The Ministry of National Defense said it is intercepting more than 90% of projectiles launched from Iran, but as of the day, eight people had been killed and about 140 injured, the largest human toll among Gulf states.