U.A.E. Preparing to Help Open Strait of Hormuz By Force

Summary

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Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode of WSJ What's News (April 1, 2026) focuses on the United Arab Emirates' (U.A.E.) potential military involvement in the Iran war, specifically its preparations to help open the Strait of Hormuz by force. The hosts also discuss U.S. Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship, the latest maneuvers in global critical minerals supply, and significant business and market news developments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.A.E. Preparing for Military Action in the Strait of Hormuz

Segment: [01:09] – [05:01]
Speakers: Luke Vargas (Host), Andrew Dowell (WSJ Middle East Bureau Chief)

• Background: After enduring weeks of Iranian attacks targeting civilian and economic sites in the U.A.E., the UAE is preparing to take an active combatant role in the Iran war.
• Strategic Shift:
  • The UAE has previously avoided direct engagement due to long-term risks of antagonizing Iran, a powerful neighbor ([02:07]).
  • Dowell explains, “They're looking at the situation and realizing that they are in fact a combatant... it's not a situation they think they could live with.” ([02:07])
• Iran’s Claims:
  • Iran seeks ongoing administrative control of the Strait of Hormuz, which the U.A.E. finds unacceptable due to economic reliance on free passage for energy, shipping, and food supplies.
• Diplomatic Moves:
  • UAE lobbies for a U.N. resolution (introduced by Bahrain) to authorize force for opening the Strait, providing diplomatic cover for participating nations ([03:35]–[03:55]).
  • The strategy combines military readiness—such as mine sweeping and naval support—with international coalition-building.
• Military Capacity:
  • Despite its small military, the U.A.E. is considered well-positioned for operations along the strait, aside from Iran ([03:55]).
  • They may provide bases and logistical support to coalition forces.
• International Diplomacy:
  • The U.A.E. aims to erode Iran's claim by increasing international pressure and legitimacy for military action.

Notable Quote — Andrew Dowell, [02:07]:

“They're looking at the situation and realizing that they are in fact a combatant, that Iran isn't just shooting at US interests in the UAE, but took aim at things like luxury hotels, iconic buildings, the airport several times in what they consider to be a deliberate attempt to sow panic and kind of undermine their economy and create pressure to end the war.”

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2. U.S. Military and Presidential Developments

Segment: [05:01] – [06:57]
Speaker: Luke Vargas

• U.S. Navy:
  • A third U.S. aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East, signaling possible sustained military presence ([05:01]).
• Presidential Statement:
  • President Trump asserts the war could "wrap up in two to three weeks," boosting markets and lowering oil prices in the short term.
  • Skepticism persists about a lasting return to prewar oil prices, with Brent crude expected to steady at $80/barrel ([05:30]).
• Airline Industry Impact:
  • Airlines are increasing fuel surcharges and bag fees due to higher fuel costs.
  • United’s CEO warns fares could rise by up to 20% ([05:49]).
• Iran’s Corporate Threats:
  • Iran threatens U.S. companies with operations in the Middle East, implicating firms such as Apple, Oracle, Microsoft, Alphabet, JPMorgan Chase, Tesla, and others, advising U.S. employees to leave before 8 p.m. local time ([06:00]).

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3. Supreme Court on Birthright Citizenship

Segment: [07:32] – [09:06]
Speakers: Luke Vargas, James Ramoser (WSJ Supreme Court Reporter)

• Case Background:
  • The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants/temporary residents.
  • Trump plans to attend the hearing, breaking with presidential tradition ([07:50]).
• Legal Prognosis & Political Commentary:
  • Lower courts have blocked the order based on the 14th Amendment.
  • Ramoser notes Trump is preemptively questioning the court’s impartiality, saying in a post it will "find a way to come to the wrong conclusion" ([08:13]).
  • The court might sidestep the constitutional issue by ruling on statute violations, leaving the 14th Amendment interpretation open.
• Potential Impact:

  “If the Supreme Court affirms the conventional wisdom of the 14th Amendment that nearly everyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen, then that ruling should settle the question definitively.” ([08:13] - James Ramoser)

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4. U.S. Voting Reform Push

Segment: [09:06] – [09:36]
Speaker: Luke Vargas

• Trump signs an executive order to create federal lists of eligible voters, compiled from citizenship and Social Security data.
• The order faces immediate legal challenges, with Arizona and Oregon Secretaries of State vowing lawsuits.

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5. U.S. Gains in African Critical Minerals

Segment: [09:36] – [11:04]
Speakers: Luke Vargas, Alexandra Wexler

• Virtus Minerals Acquisition:
  • U.S. firm Virtus Minerals acquires a major cobalt and copper miner (Shemov) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, previously outside Chinese control.
• Operational Challenges:
  • Alexandra Wexler outlines obstacles:
    • Limited labor pool, government corruption, violence ([10:13]).
    • Need for sizable investment—$30M paid for Shemov, $720M commitment for plant upgrades.
  • If operations succeed, the mine could supply 5% of the world’s cobalt ([10:45]).

Notable Quote — Alexandra Wexler, [10:45]:

"If [Virtus] manages to do that, it could produce up to somewhere around 5% of the world's cobalt, which would be a huge boon to the U.S. critical mineral supply chain."

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6. Major Business & Market Updates

Segment: [11:04] – [12:45]
Speaker(s): Luke Vargas, Elliot Hill (Nike CEO)

OpenAI Funding Round

• $122 billion raised ahead of an IPO, valuation at $852 billion ([11:04]).
• Amazon, Nvidia, and SoftBank are major contributors.
• OpenAI to be included in ETFs managed by Ark Invest.

Nike’s Market Struggles

• Nike forecasts a 2–4% sales decrease due to China market downturn.
• CEO Elliot Hill:

  "We're building brand by brand, sport by sport, country by country... parts of it are taking longer than I would like, but we believe in the direction... and the foundation is getting stronger." ([11:53])

Allbirds Collapse

• Eco-friendly sneaker company Allbirds sells assets for $39 million, down from a $4 billion valuation.
• Shift signals consumer reluctance to pay premiums for sustainability alone, with brands like On and Hoka now trending ([12:40]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They're looking at the situation and realizing that they are in fact a combatant...” — Andrew Dowell ([02:07])
• “If [Virtus] manages to do that, it could produce up to somewhere around 5% of the world's cobalt, which would be a huge boon to the U.S. critical mineral supply chain.” — Alexandra Wexler ([10:45])
• “We're building brand by brand, sport by sport, country by country and partner by partner and I will acknowledge that parts of it are taking longer than I would like, but we believe... the foundation is getting stronger.” — Elliot Hill, Nike CEO ([11:53])
• “The court will, quote, find a way to come to the wrong conclusion...” — President Trump via James Ramoser ([08:13])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.A.E. & Iran War Analysis: [01:09] – [05:01]
• U.S. Navy & Presidential Update: [05:01] – [06:57]
• Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship: [07:32] – [09:06]
• Voting Reform Push: [09:06] – [09:36]
• Critical Minerals in Africa: [09:36] – [11:04]
• OpenAI, Nike, and Allbirds: [11:04] – [12:45]

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains a fast-paced, fact-driven, and international news-oriented tone. Commentators provide informed analysis, with a sense of urgency regarding geopolitical and economic threats.

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Summary Utility

This summary captures the episode’s central themes and key stories, with direct quotes enhancing authenticity and timestamps supporting in-depth listening. Critical geopolitical, economic, and business updates are contextualized for listeners seeking to catch up on April 1, 2026’s top global stories.

Transcript

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[Luke Vargas]

Is the Iran war escalating or winding down? We'll get the Latest as a third U.S. aircraft carrier heads to the region. Plus the Supreme Court takes on President Trump's push to limit U.S. citizenship and a win in Washington's critical minerals push. Even if exporting cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo is likely easier said

[Alexandra Wexler]

than done, it's going to have to really turn these assets around. But if it's manages to do, that could produce up to somewhere around 5% of the world's cobalt, which would be a huge boon to the US critical mineral supply chain.

[Luke Vargas]

It's Wednesday, April 1st. I'm Luke Vargas for the Wall Street Journal, and here is the AM edition of what's news, the top headlines and business stories moving your world today. After sustaining Iranian attacks for weeks, the United Arab Emirates is considering becoming a combatant in the Iran war, making it the first Persian Gulf country to do so. We're exclusively reporting that the UAE is now preparing to help the US and others to open the Strait of Hormuz by force after having assessed its ability to do things like clear the waterway of mines. With more on what could be a turning point in the war and Gulf involvement in it, I'm joined by the Journal's Middle east bureau chief, Andrew Dowell. Drew, why now? Gulf countries have been getting hit by Iran, including the uae, since the start of the conflict, and yet they haven't to date taken the fight directly to the country. What explains this shift, apparently in calculus from the uae?

[Andrew Dowell]

At this point, they've been concerned about defining themselves as a combatant because that's a posture that could outlive Trump's interest in the war and leave them at odds with a big neighbor right across the Persian Gulf for an extended period. They're looking at the situation and realizing that they are in fact a combatant, that Iran isn't just shooting at US Interests in the uae, but took aim at things like luxury hotels, iconic buildings, the airport several times in what they consider to be a deliberate attempt to sow panic and kind of undermine their economy and create pressure to end the war. And it's not a situation they think they could live with. The other thing is that Iran's making very clear that it wants to have an extended administrative role over the Strait of Hormuz even after the war is over, which could involve charging tolls or deciding who gets to go through or doesn't get to go through, which, again, is just completely unacceptable to the uae. Their economy is largely dependent on energy, which flows through the Strait of Hormuz. They have a big shipping industry which also relies on free access through that waterway, and they get food through there. And so they're trying to rally support for a military solution to change things. The journals reported that Trump is considering ending the war without, you know, resolving the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which to them is sort of a worst case scenario.

[Luke Vargas]

Tell us more about what the Emirates is considering here, which from our reporting sounds like it kind of marries together the use of some Emirati military capabilities, but also the expenditure of the country's diplomatic capital.

[Andrew Dowell]

That's right, yeah. So the main thing they're doing is lobbying for passage of a UN resolution that was introduced by Bahrain, under which the Security Council would authorize the use of force to open the Strait of Hormuz, which would give any country that wanted to participate in an effort like that diplomatic cover or the COVID of kind of international legitimacy in order to go ahead. So that's one thing standing on the side of that resolution is standing on the side of military action against Iran, which is a major step for a Gulf country. And then, as we've reported, they're willing to get involved. And, you know, it's a, it's a small country with a small military, but they do have the potential to do things on the water, like potentially sweep mines. They are probably the best positioned country along the strait aside from Iran. So there's the possibility of using bases and, you know, yeah, they can provide support for the actual, you know, kind of military combatants. I think the other thing is they're, they're probably aware that President Trump is trying to assemble a coalition and they want to help make that happen. Because the goal of any effort to restore traffic through the strait and remove Iran's role of governing that traffic is very much in their interests. I think one of the bets is probably that as international pressure builds, Iran's position and its claim that it will have a permanent role over traffic in the strait becomes less and less tenable in international diplomatic terms. But, you know, in a strictly military consideration, it's a big job.

[Luke Vargas]

Andrew Dowell is the Wall Street Journal's Middle east editor. Drew, appreciate the update. Thanks so much.

[Andrew Dowell]

You're welcome.

[Luke Vargas]

Meanwhile, a third US aircraft carrier is deploying to the Middle East. The USS George H.W. bush left Virginia yesterday and could take weeks to reach the region where U.S. officials said three aircraft carriers could remain for the foreseeable future. The Navy declined to comment on the operations. President Trump is planning to address the nation on the war at 9pm Eastern tonight. Trump yesterday said that he believes the war will wrap up in two to three weeks, news that sent global markets higher today and led to a pullback in oil prices. But whether a rapid end to fighting can bring oil back to its pre war levels is another story, with analysts at Capital Economics saying that a U.S. exit from the war in two to three weeks still aligns with forecasts of Brent crude at $80 a barrel by year's end. Well, airlines aren't waiting to bake higher fuel surcharges and other fees into ticket prices. And in order to offset higher costs, JetBlue is charging more for bags. Air France, KLM and Cathay Pacific are boosting fuel fees. And United's CEO has warned that fares could shoot up by as much as 20% due to war related fuel shortages. And Iran yesterday warned A number of U.S. companies with locations in the Middle east that their actions supporting the war make them legitimate targets. Iran's Revolutionary Guard accused the likes of Apple, Oracle, Palantir, Microsoft, Alphabet and JPMorgan Chase of contributing to the deaths of Iranian citizens and warned employees of the companies to leave their workplaces in the region before 8pm local time today. Also named in the warning were Cisco, hp, Intel, IBM, Tesla, Nvidia and Boeing. Coming up, President Trump heads to the Supreme Court, literally, as justices prepare to hear oral arguments on his push to end birthright citizenship. That and the day's business news after the break.

[Alexandra Wexler]

Hablas Espanol spries to Dzoic if you

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[Luke Vargas]

In WASHINGTON President Trump is turning up the pressure on the Supreme Court as it prepares to hear arguments today limiting U.S. citizenship. The Supreme Court tomorrow is going to hear arguments about your executive order trying to get rid of birthright citizenship, and I'm going. You're going to go to the Supreme Court?

[James Ramoser]

Think so.

[Luke Vargas]

In a break from tradition, Trump plans to attend the hearing in person as the justices review his executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants or temporary residents. Lower courts have blocked the order, ruling that it conflicts with the 14th Amendment. Journal Supreme Court reporter James Ramoser says the case is pushing Trump's relationship with the court to the brink.

[James Ramoser]

In a social media post, the president essentially predicted that the court would likely rule against him in the birthright citizenship case. He said the court will, quote, find a way to come to the wrong conclusion. But even if the president loses, he's unlikely to let the issue go. So if the Supreme Court affirms the conventional wisdom of the 14th Amendment that nearly everyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen, then that ruling should settle the question definitively. But there is a potential alternative course that the court could take, which would leave the door open for further debate about this. The court could try to dodge the constitutional question and simply rule that Trump's executive order violates statutes. And if the court did do this, I suppose the question of the underlying meaning of the 14th Amendment would remain a somewhat open question.

[Luke Vargas]

In a continuation of his voting reform push, President Trump has signed an executive order directing his administration to create lists of people that it considers eligible to vote in federal elections. The lists, compiled from citizenship and Social Security data, would be sent to state election chiefs ahead of the midterms. The order is likely to face a flood of legal challenges, with the Secretaries of State of Arizona and Oregon saying they already plan to challenge it in court. The Trump administration has scored a major win in its race against Beijing for critical minerals in Africa, with the US Company set to take over a copper and cobalt mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We exclusively report that Virtus Minerals has finalized its acquisition for Shemov, one of the world's largest cobalt producers. That's not already in China's hands. Alexandra Wexler covers business in Africa for the Journal and says it will require a big commitment to turn around debt laden Shem off and get minerals out of one of the hardest countries in the world to do business.

[Alexandra Wexler]

There is a limited labor pool, there's government corruption and quite a lot of violence as well in different parts of the country. The mine still needs several hundred million dollars in upgrades to finish processing plants and mechanization of its mining operations. There's a lot of damage that's been done from informal miners, so Virtus paid the family that owned Shemov $30 million and it's committed to spending some 720 million in investment to get these assets turned around and up and running and producing copper and cobalt for the US if it manages to do that, it could produce up to somewhere around 5% of the world's cobalt, which would be a huge boon to the US critical mineral supply chain in other markets news

[Luke Vargas]

OpenAI has completed the largest funding round in Silicon valley history, raising $122 billion ahead of an IPO that's expected by year's end. Amazon, Nvidia and SoftBank put up the majority of funds for the round, which values OpenAI at $852 billion. The deal will also grant individual investors greater access to OpenAI, with the company set to be included in several ETFs managed by Cathie Wood's Ark Invest. Nike's turnaround plan has hit a snag, with the sneaker company projecting a 2 to 4% pullback in sales this year, including a sharp drop in its key China market. CEO Elliot Hill came out of retirement in 2024 to try and restore Nike's market leadership and and acknowledge yesterday the complexities of that effort.

[Elliot Hill]

We're building brand by brand, sport by sport, country by country and partner by partner and I will acknowledge that parts of it are taking longer than I would like, but we believe the direction in the direction we're moving with urgency and the foundation is getting stronger. So I'm really good, feel great about that.

[Luke Vargas]

Nike has had some success though, with its running wholesale and North American businesses showing signs of progress though Hill said that alongside China, its sportswear business and Converse brand are taking longer to recover. And once a go to sneaker for Silicon Valley and public figures alike, including President Obama, Allbirds has sold its assets for just a fraction of the $4 billion it was once valued at. With the eco friendly wool sneaker brand striking a deal to sell itself to American Exchange group for just $39 million, the premise that consumers would pay a premium for sustainably made products turned out to be flawed. With Allbird stumbles opening the door for brands that have attracted tech and fashion trendsetters alike such as on and hoka. And that's it for what's news for this Wednesday morning. Today's show was produced by Hattie Moyer. Our supervising producer was Daniel Bach. And I'm Luke Vargas for the Wall Street Journal. We will be back tonight with a new show, and until then, thanks for listening.

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