ADNOC Chief Demands Unconditional Reopening of Strait of Hormuz Amid "Global Extortion"

ADNOC's Sultan Al Jaber calls Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz "coercion" and demands unconditional reopening to close a 40-day global energy gap.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 7:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters

A Stand Against Maritime Coercion

In a definitive response to the ongoing naval blockade in the Persian Gulf, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO Sultan Al Jaber declared on April 9, 2026, that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to free commerce. Speaking via his official LinkedIn profile, Al Jaber—who also serves as the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology—asserted that the current environment is one of "restricted, conditioned, and controlled" access. He rejected the notion that any state has the right to weaponize the natural passage, which is governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, emphasizing that transit is a matter of international right rather than a privilege to be granted by Tehran.

The Economic Toll of the 40-Day Gap

The CEO’s remarks coincide with a critical juncture for global energy markets as the final oil cargoes that transited the strait before the conflict reach their destinations in Asia and Europe. Al Jaber highlighted a looming "40-day gap" in supply that is shifting from speculative market theory into physical reality, threatening to tighten markets and drive up global household costs. He noted that approximately 230 vessels currently sit loaded with oil, unable to safely traverse the chokepoint. The impact, according to Al Jaber, extends far beyond the energy sector, acting as an assault on the fundamental principles of international trade and economic stability.

Accountability for Strategic Infrastructure Damage

The UAE has officially called for Iran to be held fully liable for what it describes as substantial and illegal attacks on civilian energy infrastructure. These demands follow a series of precise strikes that targeted ADNOC’s operations, specifically the Habshan gas complex, which suffered consecutive attacks on April 3 and April 8, 2026. Al Jaber’s statement underscored that reparations are a necessary component of any long-term resolution, as the UAE and its neighbors—including Saudi Arabia and Qatar—have faced almost daily drone and missile salvos since the coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites began on February 28.