{
  "id": 6256984,
  "title": "Strait of Hormuz is a ‘red line’ and cannot be tolled, UAE trade minister says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/strait-of-hormuz-is-a-red-line-and-cannot-be-tolled-uae-trade",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T08:44:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/09/08/strait-of-hormuz-is-a-red-line-and-cannot-be-tolled-uae-trade-minister-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UAE Trade Minister has declared the Strait of Hormuz a \"red line\" that cannot be controlled or toll-free by any single nation, stating it is crucial for the Gulf region. Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of Foreign Trade, made this statement at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that international waterways must remain unrestricted and open to all countries. He reiterated that no country owns the Strait of Hormuz and that it should be a non-issue for any Gulf nation.\n\nPrior to the Iran conflict, the Strait facilitated approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas transit. The UAE has been focusing on developing alternative logistics corridors linking the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman, collaborating with Omani authorities to facilitate UAE-bound cargo through the ports of Sohar and Duqm. In addition, the UAE has accelerated the construction of east-coast ports at Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, situated outside the Strait of Hormuz, to ensure continued trade efficiency.\n\nThe UAE is also constructing a new pipeline to augment oil exports from Abu Dhabi through the Gulf of Oman, as part of its efforts to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic plan, outlined by Dr Al Zeyoudi in June, aims to minimize the country's reliance on the Strait, even if it remains closed. The minister highlighted that these initiatives are not short-term solutions but rather permanent shifts in the UAE's economic positioning.\n\nRecent trade data from the UAE's first half reveals that these alternative trade routes have proven to be beneficial for the economy. Non-oil foreign trade amounted to a record Dh1.94 trillion ($528 billion) from January to June, representing a 13.1% increase from the previous year and an 80% jump compared to the same period in 2022. Non-oil exports reached an all-time high of Dh453 billion, underscoring the potency of the UAE's diversified trade networks. Dr Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the UAE has turned every challenge into an opportunity, transforming crises into opportunities for structural growth.",
  "summary": "The UAE will not allow any single country to control access to the Strait of Hormuz or impose a toll on shipping through the vital waterway, Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said, calling the strait a “red line” for the Gulf. “We cannot allow individual nations to determine our trade ambitions,” Dr Al Zeyoudi told the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. “International waterways must…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Strait of Hormuz is a ‘red line’ and cannot be tolled, UAE trade minister says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/strait-of-hormuz-is-a-red-line-and-cannot-be-tolled-uae-trade-6262936",
        "published": "2026-09-08T08:44:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}