UAE denies report claiming it wants to join war to open Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday rejected a report that it wants to enter the ongoing conflict in the Middle East to force open the Strait of Hormuz.

"Recent reporting suggesting a shift in the UAE's posture is misleading. The UAE maintains a defensive posture focused on protecting its sovereignty, its people, and its infrastructure, and reserves its right to self-defense in response to ongoing unlawful and unprovoked attacks," an official said in a statement, according to NBC News.

It was issued in response to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which claimed the country "is willing to join the fight" to reopen the waterway.

However, the official stated that the country remains prepared to "support collective international efforts aimed at safeguarding maritime security and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commerce" through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The UAE underscores that such a strategic waterway cannot be subject to disruption or coercion by any state, particularly in ways that threaten global economic stability and international security," the statement added.

This came a day after the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE is preparing to support US-led efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively disrupted since early March, when Iran moved to throttle the waterway in retaliation for the US-Israeli offensive that began Feb. 28.

Around 20 million barrels of oil, roughly 20% of global supply, normally pass through the strait daily. Its closure has driven up global oil prices, disrupted shipping and raised fears of prolonged economic damage.

The US and Israel have struck Iran since the end of February, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.