Saudi Arabia joined the coalition on Wednesday The US formed the coalition after attacks on oil tankers that American officials blame on Iran DUBAI: The UAE says it has joined a US-led coalition to protect waterways across the Mideast after an attack on Saudi oil installations. The state-run WAM news agency announced the UAE’s decision in a statement Thursday. It quoted Salem Al-Zaabi of the Emirati Foreign Ministry as saying the UAE joined the coalition to “ensure global energy security and the continued flow of energy supplies to the global economy.” Saudi Arabia joined the coalition on Wednesday. Australia, Bahrain and the United Kingdom also are taking part. The US formed the coalition after attacks on oil tankers that American officials blame on Iran, as well as Iran’s seizure of tankers in the region. Iran denies being behind the tanker explosions. The Saudi oil installation attack Saturday has further heightened Mideast tensions.