Gulf Business Activity Shaken as Iran Strikes Disrupt Region

Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf have caused the most significant disruption to business operations in the region since the COVID-19 era.

The escalation has led to the shutdown of airports, suspension of port activities, and sharp reactions in financial markets—undermining decades of effort to position the Gulf as a stable global business hub.

In the United Arab Emirates, at least three people were confirmed dead, while powerful explosions continued to echo across Dubai and Abu Dhabi for a third consecutive day on Monday.

The strikes represent a rare and dramatic escalation, particularly for Dubai, a city long seen as largely shielded from the region’s ongoing conflicts.