U.S. Forms Coalition to Protect Mideast Waterways

The United Arab Emirates has become the fifth nation to join the coalition to protect Middle Eastern waterways that was established by the United States after the Saudi oilfields are attacked – with little doubt by Iran — on Saturday. In addition to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Australia and the United Kingdom are already on-board. The Iranians have denied responsibility for the attack which has impaired oil production and sent world oil production to a 5 % jump in prices. But Iran is believed to have been responsible for several recent attacks in the Middle Eastern waterways, from bombings to seizing ships. Some believe the defensive coalition might be the first step in assembling an international military response to the Islamic Republic.