Abu Shihab said that freedom of navigation remains a cornerstone of international law.
United Nations: The UAE has accused Iran of threatening maritime security and disrupting the global economy through activities in the Strait of Hormuz, while calling on the UN Security Council to uphold international law and take decisive action to protect international peace and security.
Speaking at a Security Council open debate on upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Mohamed Abushahab, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said freedom of navigation is a fundamental pillar of international law and warned that recent developments highlight the need to safeguard critical global trade routes.
Abushahab said the UAE is committed to a future grounded in stability, dialogue, and shared prosperity, stressing that sustainable peace cannot exist alongside impunity or repeated violations of international norms.
“After eight decades of international cooperation in pursuit of peace and a shared global order, the United Nations Charter remains our primary shield against global disorder and the cornerstone of international cooperation,” he told the council.
The UAE representative said that long-term stability and prosperity can only be achieved through dialogue and de-escalation, rather than confrontation or ideological extremism. He added that regional tensions have been fuelled by the actions of a single state that has, for years, pursued destabilising policies and supported armed proxy groups.
Abushahab said the UAE has faced unlawful Iranian attacks over the past three months targeting civilian infrastructure, including commercial ports, airports, energy facilities, and communications networks.
He also accused Iran of obstructing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such actions violate international law and pose risks to maritime security and the global economy.
The ambassador referred to a drone attack launched from Iraqi territory against the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, calling it a dangerous escalation. He noted that the Security Council had condemned the incident earlier this week, describing it as a serious breach of international law.
Abushahab stressed that the UAE retains its right to defend its territory and population in accordance with international law. He also called for accountability for attacks on civilian infrastructure and urged the Security Council to ensure the full and consistent implementation of its resolutions.
“The credibility of the international system depends on our willingness to uphold its rules when they are violated,” he said, adding that deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure must be unequivocally condemned and never normalised.
The UAE concluded by urging the Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities under the UN Charter and act with the necessary determination to preserve international peace and security.
