The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of “global economic extortion” over its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday in what appeared to be among its strongest public remarks against the Islamic Republic since the war began last month. 

What happened: In a post on LinkedIn, Emirati Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said Iran’s actions in the strategic waterway pose a “threat the world cannot tolerate.”

Jaber, who also serves as managing director of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, warned of the far-reaching consequences of Iranian attacks on the strait. “Asian economies have felt it first — with shorter working weeks, fuel rationing, fewer flights and AC cuts. Now the impact is moving west, across Europe," he added, referencing rising food and fuel prices in the region as well as "air fares, energy bills, medicine costs" globally.

Jaber, who recently called Iran's chokehold on the strait “economic terrorism,” called on countries around the world to “act — together — to protect the free flow of energy and safeguard economic stability.”