Lead

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the United States and other allies open the strategic Strait of Hormuz by force, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by both the Jerusalem Post and Russia's TASS news agency on Tuesday. The report, which cites Arab officials, says Abu Dhabi is lobbying for a UN Security Council resolution authorizing military action and has already conducted an internal assessment of its capabilities to help secure the waterway, including mine-clearing operations.

Coverage Comparison

Two outlets — the Jerusalem Post and TASS — covered the WSJ report, though with slightly different emphases. The Jerusalem Post framed the story around the UAE's potential role as the first Gulf state to become a combatant in the conflict with Iran, while also linking it to Gulf states' pressure on US President Donald Trump to continue attacks against Iran. TASS focused on the UAE's military assistance to the US and the broader geopolitical implications, including Iran's closure of the strait to vessels linked to the US, Israel, and their supporters.

Both articles agree on the core facts: the UAE is preparing to assist in opening the strait by force, and it is pursuing a UN Security Council resolution. Neither outlet disputed the WSJ's reporting, though both attribute the information to unnamed officials.

Key Claims

UAE military assistance and UN resolution — According to the Wall Street Journal, as reported by both the Jerusalem Post and TASS, the UAE is preparing to provide military assistance to the US in opening the Strait of Hormuz. The newspaper also reported that Abu Dhabi is lobbying for a UN Security Council resolution authorizing such a force, and that UAE diplomats have urged European and Asian countries to form a coalition to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait. A UAE official told the WSJ that the nation has assessed its capabilities, including mine-clearing.

Gulf states pressure Trump — The Jerusalem Post, citing a Monday Associated Press report, says Gulf states have recently asked President Trump to continue attacks against Iran until the Islamic regime ceases to be a threat to the region. According to Gulf and Israeli officials cited by AP, the Gulf states believe Iran hasn't been weakened enough nearly a month after the bombing campaign began. The AP report also notes that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading efforts to increase military pressure on Tehran.

Military operations against Iran — Both sources report that the US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28. The Jerusalem Post mentions Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, while TASS does not use those names. TASS reports that major Iranian cities, including Tehran, were hit. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Strait of Hormuz closure — According to TASS, Iranian authorities decided to close the Strait of Hormuz to vessels linked to the US, Israel, and countries that supported the aggression against the Islamic Republic. During the conflict, several tankers were attacked for transiting without Tehran's permission. On March 25, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Iran had allowed friendly countries, including Russia, India, Iraq, China, and Pakistan, to pass through.

Perspectives

Israeli/Gulf perspective (via Jerusalem Post) — This coverage emphasizes the urgency of the UAE's move and the broader Gulf consensus that Iran must be decisively weakened. The framing suggests that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are pushing for continued military pressure, despite Trump's signals of a potential winding down of the conflict.

Russian/state media perspective (via TASS) — TASS presents the story with a focus on the geopolitical dimensions, highlighting Iran's retaliatory measures and the closure of the strait. It does not mention Trump's signals or the Gulf states' pressure, instead focusing on Iran's actions and the potential regional tensions stemming from UAE involvement.

Context

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and any disruption has significant economic and security implications. The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has been ongoing since late February, with both sides trading strikes. The UAE's potential involvement would mark a significant escalation, as it would be the first Gulf state to actively participate in the conflict. The reported push for a UN Security Council resolution indicates an attempt to legitimize the use of force, though such a resolution would likely face opposition from Russia and China, both of which have been allowed by Iran to use the strait.

Whether the UAE's move will materialize remains to be seen, as the situation is fluid and depends on diplomatic efforts and military developments. The WSJ report, while sourced to officials, has not been independently verified by other outlets as of this writing.