Overview
- Dubai tycoon Khalaf Al Habtoor posted a viral open message on X asking President Trump, "Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran?" and warning of severe collateral damage.
- Iran’s missile and drone strikes across the Gulf are continuing, with the UAE military reporting it has intercepted almost all incoming projectiles.
- Travel and commerce have been disrupted, with thousands of passengers stranded, reduced road traffic in Dubai, and newly established safe air corridors allowing up to 48 flights per hour.
- Dubai’s stock index is heading for its worst week since May 2022 as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slows to a near standstill, lifting crude prices.
- The backlash underscores the limits of Abu Dhabi’s roughly US$1.4 trillion U.S. investment pledge to sway wartime choices, and Al Habtoor also questioned whether Israeli leaders influenced the decision to escalate.