UAE says it will be better prepared for renewed Iran war, plans stronger energy infrastructure and new export routes

The United Arab Emirates will strengthen its energy infrastructure, expand alternative export routes and increase overseas storage and shipping capacity to prepare for any renewed fighting involving Iran, Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said Monday.

“We cannot predict what’s going to happen, but I can tell you that we will be much more prepared than we were before,” Al Mazrouei said at the ADIPEC energy conference in Abu Dhabi.

He said the UAE would review the design of critical oil, gas and electricity infrastructure, add layers of protection and build spare capacity to withstand future disruptions.

“We will assume the worst and hope for the best,” Al Mazrouei said, adding that the country could not rely on assurances that its infrastructure would remain untouched.

The UAE also plans to invest in new export routes, storage capacity abroad and shipping fleets. It currently exports crude through Fujairah, outside the Strait of Hormuz, and is building another pipeline to the port that is expected to double crude transport capacity by next year.

Al Mazrouei said UAE oil exports had at times exceeded prewar levels despite severe disruption to Gulf shipping. Reuters reported that crude and condensate exports reached a record 3.94 million barrels per day in June after falling sharply when shipping through Hormuz was disrupted.

His remarks come amid renewed fears of U.S. military action against Iran and possible Iranian retaliation across the Gulf, although Washington has continued to signal that diplomacy remains an option.