CONFLICT: UAE FORMALLY ASKS UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE FORCE TO REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The United Arab Emirates has formally asked the UN Security Council to authorize "immediate action," including the use of force, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. UAE Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab sent letters to the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council's president calling for steps to "ensure safe and secure navigation and navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz." The request makes the UAE the first Gulf state to seek international authorization for military action aimed at ending Iran's hold over the waterway, which typically carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas flows. The UAE has already carried out internal assessments of its ability to help secure the strait, including mine-clearing operations. The move follows weeks of Emirati lobbying for a multinational "Hormuz Security Force" and comes after Trump told allies to "go to the Strait and just TAKE IT." Any Security Council resolution could face a veto from Russia and China. Oil remains above $115.