UAE Minister Calls for End to Disruptions of Shipping in Strait of Hormuz

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister of state has called for an immediate halt to any attempts to disrupt commercial shipping and attacks on civilians in the Strait of Hormuz. UAE State Minister Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri made the remarks in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency.

The comments followed last week's strike on a South Korean-operated vessel that was stranded in the chokepoint. "There is broad international consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait must be preserved, that Iran must immediately cease its threats, mine-laying, and drone and missile attacks, and cease any attempt to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait," the minister said.

"The international community will not tolerate attacks on sovereignty, civilians or critical infrastructure," he added. The minister stressed the UAE's commitment to working with partners to safeguard maritime security and ensure safe passage through the waterway.

The South Korean-operated cargo ship HMM Namu was hit by two unidentified airborne objects while stranded in the Strait of Hormuz last week. Chinese and French civilian ships came under attack around the same time. The UAE's foreign ministry condemned the strike on the South Korean ship as a "terrorist attack" on Monday local time.

The Korean government said further analysis is needed to determine who was responsible for the strike. Since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has disrupted global energy supplies and logistics through the strategic waterway.

The minister pledged to further strengthen cooperation with South Korea in energy and other areas. "The Republic of Korea is among the UAE's closest partners, and energy cooperation is a central pillar of our Special Strategic Partnership," the minister said.

" South Korea has concluded that a strike by unidentified airborne objects caused the explosion and fire aboard the vessel. A photo released by the foreign ministry on May 10, 2026, shows a 7-meter-wide rupture in the hull of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu, operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co.