Growing instability in the Gulf and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz pose a direct challenge to European energy supply and trade, the UAE president's top adviser warned Sunday.
Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President Dr. Anwar Gargash told the GLOBSEC conference in Prague that the roots of discontent in the Middle East have been building for years. He cautioned that any change to the status of the Strait of Hormuz would have "serious implications on all of Europe" regarding energy and trade.
Gargash described Iran as "a much-weakened state today" but noted the conflict has produced wider instability, including attacks on Gulf infrastructure and pressure on shipping routes. He revealed that more than 3,300 missiles and drones targeted the UAE in just over 40 days, with only about 4 percent penetrating air defenses.
He urged European nations to view the situation not as a distant problem but as one directly connected to their energy and trade interests, while clarifying the UAE is not seeking direct European military intervention.
Gargash called for a political solution to address the root causes of instability in the Gulf, emphasizing that diplomacy remains essential.