The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, has called for the unconditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that access to the vital waterway is currently being restricted and controlled. He stated that Iran's actions, including conditioning passage and using it for political leverage, constitute coercion rather than freedom of navigation.
Dr. Al Jaber, who also heads the UAE's state oil giant ADNOC, emphasized that the strait is a natural passage governed by international law, guaranteeing transit as a right, not a privilege. He warned that weaponizing this waterway sets a dangerous precedent, undermining global trade and economic stability.
Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan echoed similar sentiments, stating that Singapore will not negotiate for safe passage, as it is a fundamental right codified by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the country's strong international relations, which have facilitated passage for its vessels.