Using sea lanes as a pressure card or tool for economic blackmail constitutes economic warfare, piracy, and unacceptable behavior

Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, participated in the ninth edition of the Indian Ocean Conference, which was held in the Republic of Mauritius, under the slogan: “Collective Supervision of the Governance of the Indian Ocean,” within the framework of the UAE’s keenness to enhance its effective role in the security and safety of international maritime navigation, in light of the challenges the region is witnessing and the resulting repercussions.
During a speech before the conference, he stressed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening cooperation through regional and multilateral platforms, and to work with partners in the region to support flexible and open trade corridors, ensuring that the Indian Ocean, and all international waterways, remain a symbol of stability, interconnection, and common economic progress.
In this regard, he pointed out that using sea lanes as a pressure card or tool for economic blackmail represents economic war, piracy, and unacceptable behavior that goes beyond the borders of the region to threaten the stability of the global economy and supply chains. What we have witnessed of the disruption and threat to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran confirms that confronting this path is no longer an option, but rather a collective necessity.
He added: “Based on this, Iran bearing the full consequences of obstructing the Strait of Hormuz during its brutal terrorist attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries and sisterly and friendly countries, during which it targeted civilians and infrastructure and threatened international sea lanes, represents a blatant violation of international law, and cannot be justified or tolerated.”
He stressed that the UAE is closely following the announcement President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, in preparation for discussing a long-term peace agreement. Accordingly, the UAE seeks to obtain further clarifications regarding the terms of the agreement, to ensure Iran’s full commitment to immediately stop any hostilities in the region, and to fully and unconditionally reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He added: “The Strait of Hormuz is one of the global strategic passages through which various types of vital goods and commodities pass, especially 25% of natural gas, 20% of the world’s oil, and 70% of the world’s needs for petrochemical materials originating in the Gulf countries, in addition to 33% of the world’s fertilizers, which makes any threat to the Strait directly impact global food security. Based on this, bearing Iran for the full consequences of any disruption of vital passages is not only a political position, but a commitment to sovereignty.” International law and protection of world trade.
He stressed that this strait, in addition to ensuring freedom of navigation in it, on which the global economy is based, is a common pillar of the international community that no country can monopolize or endanger. He pointed out that freedom of maritime navigation in international straits is a right guaranteed in accordance with international law, and no country may control the interests of others or hold the global economy hostage. Any disruption to traffic through the strait has far-reaching repercussions on global markets, economic stability, and the cost of living, so the international community must unite by reopening the strait. Hormuz completely.
He also stressed the UAE’s keenness to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of vital corridors globally, by investing in maritime and logistical infrastructure, to support supply chains and international trade. In the same context, he stressed that these investments reflect the UAE’s commitment not only to national preparedness, but also to ensuring the continuity of international supply chains.
Concluding his speech, he called on the international community to protect freedom of navigation in accordance with international maritime law, stressing that security and effective governance are the basis of economic opportunities in the Indian Ocean region.
During his visit, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Dr. Naveenchandra Ramgoolam, and during the meeting they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and areas of consolidating joint cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two countries, within the framework of the comprehensive economic partnership that brings together the two countries.
The meeting also discussed all current regional and international developments, especially in the wake of the treacherous Iranian attacks on the UAE and countries in the region.