Overview
- The Arab League held an extraordinary ministerial meeting by video on Tuesday that condemned Iranian attacks, cited UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and tasked members with documenting damage to pursue legal responsibility.
- UAE State Security, which announced on April 20 it had dismantled an Iran‑linked cell planning attacks inside the country, drew fresh support Wednesday as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the GCC chief praised Emirati forces and pledged solidarity.
- Gulf governments are shifting to a preemptive posture that targets covert networks before action, with security reporting pointing to at least nine Iran- or Hezbollah‑linked cells disrupted since early March and layered air defenses intercepting missiles and drones.
- To steady the economy, the UAE central bank rolled out liquidity lines in dirhams and dollars, eased capital and funding buffers, and let banks defer some loan classifications, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi authorities sped customs, curbed unjustified price hikes, and offered fee and rent relief to businesses.
- Arab officials say Iran has no legal basis to control the Strait of Hormuz under international law, as analysts describe a split between Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and more pragmatic figures that clouds talks and keeps risks to vital energy shipping high.