United Arab Emirates Minister: Hormuz Strait is Iran's, the world must not allow its closure

The United Arab Emirates (EBA) are opposing the closure of Iran's Hormuz Strait, claiming that this key maritime route for oil and gas “has never been Iran's to close or limit”, the BBC writes.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, EBA Industry Minister and head of the state oil company at Abu Dhabi, said on social networks: “Any attempt to do so is not a regional issue; it is the break-up of a vital global economic artery and direct threat to the energy, food and health safety of each nation”.

Since the US and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28th, Tehran has threatened to set off <x0-seconds worth of fire” ships if they try to use this waterway. This has brought an almost complete ban on remittances and has increased global oil and gas prices.

Al Jaber said: “establishing such a precedent is illegal, dangerous and unacceptable. The world simply cannot afford and should not allow”