By Desmond Nleya
The conflict involving United States, Israel and Iran has entered its seventh day, with Gulf countries tightening security and intercepting aerial threats as the situation continues to unfold across the Middle East.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defence systems successfully intercepted six ballistic missiles and 125 drones aimed toward the country. Authorities said the defence systems responded effectively, although minor debris caused injuries in parts of Abu Dhabi. Officials emphasised that the country remains on full security alert and ready to counter any threats to national safety.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia also reported defensive action. The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced that three drones were intercepted and destroyed east of Riyadh, as part of ongoing measures to protect the kingdom’s airspace and ensure the safety of residents.
Despite the security concerns, daily life across parts of the Gulf continues largely uninterrupted. Tourism authorities confirmed that hotels, attractions and tourism services in Abu Dhabi remain fully operational and continue to receive visitors. Government departments are coordinating closely to ensure the safety of residents, tourists and workers.
Air travel across the region is slowly recovering but still heavily disrupted. Several Indian airlines have begun restoring limited flights to the Middle East. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have resumed some routes while many others remain cancelled due to ongoing airspace restrictions. Special repatriation flights are being arranged to assist passengers stranded in the region.
Meanwhile, political rhetoric surrounding the war continues to escalate. In a media interview, Donald Trump stated that sending US ground troops into Iran is not currently under consideration, dismissing warnings from Iranian officials about the consequences of a potential invasion. Trump claimed Iran had already suffered major military losses but did not indicate whether further escalation was planned.
The wider geopolitical impact is also being felt in the global energy market. The US Treasury temporarily eased certain sanctions to allow India to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea, a move intended to stabilise global supply amid disruptions caused by the war.
As the conflict enters its seventh day, regional governments across the Gulf remain on high alert, strengthening air defences and coordinating security measures while diplomatic tensions between Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran continue to intensify.
