EU calls for militarised maritime coalition in Strait of Hormuz amid geopolitical tensions and energy chokehold risks

Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems in the Gulf, such as the *hala* (traditional fishing) practices of Bahrain or the *dhow* navigation techniques of Oman, offer alternative models of maritime stewardship rooted in communal trust and seasonal rhythms. These systems prioritise sustainability over extraction, yet are systematically marginalised in favour of Western military-industrial frameworks. The erasure of such knowledge reinforces a colonial gaze that treats the region as a resource frontier rather than a living ecosystem.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint since the 19th century, when British colonial powers imposed unequal treaties to control trade routes and suppress local resistance. The 1980s 'Tanker War' during the Iran-Iraq conflict demonstrated how external powers exacerbate regional tensions by arming proxies, a pattern repeated in modern sanctions regimes. The EU’s proposed coalition echoes Cold War-era maritime alliances, which often prioritised Western interests over regional stability.

In contrast to the EU’s securitisation narrative, many Gulf states and non-state actors view the strait as a shared heritage requiring collective governance, not militarisation. Iranian officials have repeatedly proposed regional security pacts, such as the Hormuz Peace Initiative, which emphasise dialogue over confrontation. The UAE’s historical role as a neutral trade hub contrasts with the EU’s militarised approach, highlighting how cultural identity shapes responses to geopolitical challenges.

Scientific studies show that militarised shipping lanes increase collision risks and oil spill probabilities, with the strait already experiencing 20% of global oil transit. Research from the *Journal of Marine Policy* indicates that non-military de-escalation strategies, such as joint environmental monitoring, reduce conflict triggers. The EU’s proposal lacks peer-reviewed evidence on the long-term efficacy of maritime coalitions in preventing incidents, relying instead on anecdotal security threats.

The strait is a recurring motif in Gulf poetry and music, symbolising both resilience and vulnerability, as seen in Omani *fann al-sama’* (sea chant) traditions. Artists like Bahraini poet Qassim Haddad critique militarisation as a violation of the sea’s sacred role in regional identity. Spiritual frameworks, such as Sufi concepts of *barzakh* (threshold), frame the strait as a liminal space requiring harmony, not domination.

Scenario modelling by the *International Crisis Group* suggests that a militarised coalition could trigger a 30% increase in proxy conflicts by 2030, while diplomatic alternatives could reduce tensions by 40%. Future-proofing the strait requires transitioning from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy corridors, as proposed by the UAE’s *Net Zero 2050* plan. The EU’s approach fails to account for climate-induced water scarcity, which may exacerbate resource conflicts in the region.

Marginalised voices include Iranian fishermen whose livelihoods are disrupted by naval exercises, as well as Yemeni and Somali migrants who face arbitrary detention in militarised zones. Women-led initiatives in the UAE, such as the *Women’s Marine Conservation Society*, advocate for sustainable maritime policies but are excluded from EU security dialogues. The framing also silences local peacebuilders, like the *Hormuz Peace Project*, which promotes cultural exchanges as alternatives to militarisation.