Morning. Steve Moore here. The UAE has declared “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia after further Houthi attacks on the kingdom’s civilian facilities and shipping. In Yemen, the transport ministry says an attack on Aden airport forced a flight from Cairo to divert to Jeddah on Wednesday.
The nuclear dispute remains unresolved: US Vice President JD Vance wants Iran to reduce its enrichment capacity, while President Masoud Pezeshkian has called negotiations with Washington “futile”. Away from diplomacy, Bloomberg reports that Dubai-based school operator Alephya is in advanced talks to buy control of a Saudi rival.
At home, new food rules set a timetable for cutting sodium, sugar and fat in selected packaged products. And we have the result held over from yesterday’s edition: Saudi Arabia beat the UAE 2-0 in the Gulf Cup final.
Abu Dhabi stands with Riyadh
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia, as well as Saudi vessels in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Its statement on Wednesday described the attacks as a violation of Saudi sovereignty and affirmed the UAE’s support for measures to safeguard the kingdom’s security and stability.
In Aden, Yemen’s transport ministry said at least two ballistic missiles and several drones targeted the airport’s runway and passenger terminal. One missile landed near the runway minutes before a passenger flight from Cairo was due to arrive, the ministry said; the aircraft diverted to Jeddah, the terminal was evacuated, and two planes were moved from the tarmac.
The Houthis said they had targeted Saudi military supplies at Badr camp near the airport. The Saudi-led coalition separately said it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile north of Riyadh, while Houthi claims of attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports remain unconfirmed in the report.
Pakistan and Turkey agreed on Monday to deploy forces rapidly to Saudi Arabia under their defence pact. The reporting establishes that commitment, but not that the forces have arrived; the UAE’s own statement announces diplomatic support, not a deployment.
What Vance is asking of Iran
In an interview with Reuters published this week, Vance said Iran must meaningfully reduce its enrichment capacity to secure an agreement ending the conflict. “If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?” he asked. He said Washington wanted concrete action: “We’re not going to trade words for actions.”
Reuters says the US position remains unclear on whether Iran could retain uranium enriched to lower levels under a deal. Simon Mabon, a professor of international relations at Lancaster University, told Al Jazeera that Vance’s wording suggested a softening on enrichment, while Tehran’s priorities remained sanctions relief, frozen assets and an end to the blockade and regional fighting.
Iran’s public statements also leave room for different readings. Pezeshkian called negotiations “futile” on Monday, accusing Washington of using talks while seeking to bring down Iran’s government; Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said on Sunday that negotiations based on “justice and fairness” could end the conflict. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Tehran of missing “multiple” opportunities for a nuclear agreement.
Two sets of restrictions on shipping
The shipping figures describe different operations over different periods. Iran’s Fars news agency said on Monday that Tehran had taken action against 13 vessels in seven days, according to a dpa report carried by Ghana News Agency; it did not define what “action” meant in each case.
US Central Command said its forces redirected their 130th commercial vessel on Monday under the blockade of Iranian ports, which it resumed on 14 July. The command also said it had disabled three ships that refused to comply.
Those are claims by the parties involved, rather than an independently verified comparison of attacks. The US total covers the period since July; the Iranian claim covers one week, and neither number establishes how many ships were physically struck.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported an engine-room fire after an unknown projectile struck a tanker on Monday, according to dpa and Iran International. No casualties had been reported at the time of the warning.
Brent’s evening position
Brent was quoted at $100.43 a barrel at 7.57 pm London on Wednesday, down 15 cents on the previous session. It closed at $100.58 on Tuesday.
A Dubai school operator looks to Saudi Arabia
In business, Alephya is in advanced talks to acquire a controlling stake in Riyadh-based Ajialuna Educational Co., Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The proposed purchase concerns Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding’s stake, and no final decision has been made.
Ajialuna could be valued at as much as $500 million, according to the report. That is the potential company valuation; Bloomberg does not give an agreed price for the stake being discussed.
The report says Ajialuna operates 10 schools serving more than 17,000 pupils in Saudi Arabia, while Alephya runs 15 schools with more than 20,000 pupils across the Gulf. Alephya is majority-owned by private equity firm TA Associates, which bought its stake in 2024.
TA Associates declined to comment. Alephya, Ajialuna and Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding did not respond to Bloomberg’s requests.
New food limits will arrive in stages
For households, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has begun implementing a framework to reduce sodium, sugar and fat in selected packaged foods made in the UAE or imported. It covers products including bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt and laban, salty snacks and processed cheese.
Businesses handling covered products other than processed cheese have up to nine months from the resolution’s effective date to meet the initial limits. Processed cheese has a longer first-stage period of two years and three months, but both groups must meet the final limits by 31 December 2030.
For sweetened or flavoured yoghurt and laban, for example, the total-sugar cap will fall from 12 grams per 100 grams in the first phase to 10 grams in the final phase. Stocks manufactured or imported before the resolution takes effect can remain on sale for up to a year or until expiry, whichever comes first.
The framework provides for penalties ranging from warnings to fines of Dh5,000–Dh500,000, closure or loss of a licence, according to Gulf News and Arabian Business. Both report that the Cabinet will issue the detailed list of administrative violations and penalties.
Saudi Arabia win the Gulf Cup
Saudi Arabia beat the UAE 2-0 in Jeddah on Tuesday to win its fourth Gulf Cup, its first since 2004. Hammam Al Hammami scored with a deflected shot in the 11th minute, and Feras Al Brikan added the second two minutes later.
The UAE had a first-half penalty award overturned after a video review, and Fabio Lima hit the bar late on. Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais finished the tournament without conceding a goal, while Arab News put the final’s attendance at 62,827.
Rain prayers on Friday
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has directed mosques across the UAE to hold rain prayers on Friday, 9 October. Salaat Al Istisqaa, the prayer for rain, will take place half an hour before the usual Friday prayers.
What to watch today
Diplomacy: Whether Washington clarifies the enrichment restrictions it would accept, and whether Tehran responds through mediators.
Airports and shipping: Further official information on Aden airport, claimed Saudi strikes and maritime incidents.
Defence cooperation: Confirmation of any Pakistani or Turkish deployments, beyond Monday’s agreement.
Education: Any statement from the companies involved in the reported Ajialuna talks.
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Emirates Wire uses AI tools to assist with research, early drafting, fact-checking and copy-editing. Steve Moore reviews, edits and personally approves every sentence before publication.