Downing Street has released a readout confirming that the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, met the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on 9 April 2026. The readout states the Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the UAE, offered condolences for lives lost following Iran’s bombardment, and that both leaders said the targeting of civilian infrastructure was 'indefensible'. (gov.uk)
The Prime Minister welcomed the ceasefire and called for all sides to ensure it is upheld and translated into lasting peace. The readout did not set out new UK policy measures, timelines or sanctions linked to the crisis. (gov.uk)
On the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders discussed 'the need to push to restore the free flow of goods to support global supply chains'. (gov.uk) The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 7 April update assessed that flows through the strait remain limited following a March closure, estimating regional production shut‑ins of about 7.5 million barrels per day in March and 9.1 million in April, and warned that full restoration would take months. (eia.gov)
For officials and firms with exposure to Gulf shipping lanes, the reference to Hormuz underscores continuing operational and pricing risk until traffic normalises. In its April outlook, the EIA cautioned that price pressures are likely to persist while flows restart and that forecasts hinge on the duration of the closure and the scale of shut‑ins. (eia.gov)
On the bilateral track, the readout records agreement to continue strengthening the UK–UAE relationship across innovation, trade and investment. No sector‑specific programmes or funding announcements are listed in the text. (gov.uk)
For context on the economic relationship, the Department for Business and Trade’s trade and investment factsheets-updated on 26 March 2026-provide the latest official snapshot for partners including the United Arab Emirates, used by departments and businesses for planning. (gov.uk)
The readout concludes that the leaders looked forward to speaking again soon. No timetable for further engagement is specified. (gov.uk)
Analysis: For policy professionals, three immediate watch points are whether the ceasefire holds, how quickly maritime coordination reopens Hormuz to routine traffic, and whether the UK outlines concrete measures with the UAE to support supply‑chain continuity and investment. Until then, this should be read as a signalling document: condemnation of attacks, support for de‑escalation and a focus on keeping trade moving.