Qatar and UAE officials urge stronger Gulf defences alongside US partnership

Qatari and Emirati officials called for stronger regional responsibility for Gulf security during the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi on September 7, according to Euronews reporting published the following day. Their remarks retain an important role for the United States while arguing that Gulf countries need greater capacity to protect themselves amid the continuing war involving Iran.

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari advocated stronger Gulf defences. Emirati presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash also supported greater self-reliance while describing continued engagement with Iran as necessary. His distinction between restoring functional relations and rebuilding trust points to a difficult diplomatic task: neighbouring countries must manage practical contact even when confidence in one another remains severely damaged.

Partnerships remain part of the approach

Separate official evidence shows Qatar continuing to work with an established external partner. A British government account of a September 7 call between Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Qatar's emir records discussions of regional de-escalation and bilateral defence cooperation. It also identifies potential cooperation in investment and clean energy. The readout documents that relationship; it does not independently confirm the speeches delivered at the Abu Dhabi forum.

The two developments suggest an approach that combines regional capacity with outside relationships. That is an interpretation of the statements and diplomatic contact, rather than evidence that a new defence organisation has been created. The practical questions concern capabilities, coordination and commitments: what governments would contribute, how they would respond together, and which responsibilities would remain with existing partners.

Maritime disruption reaches beyond the Gulf

The economic stakes extend beyond oil exports. In a May 26 assessment, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization explained that disruption through Hormuz affects energy, sulfur and fertiliser movements, increasing agricultural production costs. It warned that consequences can emerge later through reduced planting and fertiliser use. Those findings provide background on the significance of maritime security, rather than a new September estimate of losses.

FAO recommended keeping trade open, supporting vulnerable households and farmers, and diversifying logistics and energy arrangements. Those recommendations help explain why restoring reliable movement has implications for importing countries as well as Gulf exporters. The next meaningful security developments would be concrete cooperation agreements or operational commitments following the forum. The remarks reported so far establish policy preferences and diplomatic concerns, without establishing a ceasefire, a new military operation or a settled regional security agreement.