Morning. Steve Moore here. US officials have warned regional allies to prepare for possible strikes on Iran after the 3 November midterm elections, two diplomats briefed on the matter told the Associated Press. The diplomats said President Donald Trump had not made a final decision.
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Allies warned as Iran considers Qatar’s proposal
The US told allies that another round of military action could last several days and urged precautions against possible Iranian retaliation on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure, AP reports. Both diplomats spoke anonymously, and the White House declined to comment.
The Wall Street Journal separately reported that Washington had warned Gulf Arab governments through diplomatic and military channels to prepare for a brief, intense campaign. AP’s sources did not establish how soon after polling day US forces would be ready to act.
An official briefed on the diplomacy told CBS News that Iran was expected to respond to Qatar’s draft agreement by the end of the week, most likely on Saturday. A senior Iranian official had earlier dismissed Qatar’s proposals as unacceptable, according to Reuters reporting carried by CBS.
The UAE’s foreign ministry called on Wednesday for political solutions to contain tensions and prevent further escalation. It urged closer diplomatic coordination with regional and international partners.
What Saudi Arabia offered in Tehran
The Economist reports that Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman raised Houthi attacks and the risk of renewed US strikes during Monday’s visit to Tehran, alongside Pakistan’s army chief and Turkey’s intelligence chief. Iran refused to discuss its nuclear programme at the meeting, the newspaper says.
That leaves a disagreement over what a deal should cover: Iran wants an agreement centred on reopening Hormuz in return for an end to the US port blockade and economic concessions, while Trump wants immediate concessions on the nuclear programme, The Economist reports. Regional diplomats told the newspaper that Saudi Arabia offered to discuss a broader security pact if Iran made concessions that would enable a deal with Washington.
The diplomats also described a warning: if Iran refused and resumed attacks on Gulf states, the three members of the Mecca mutual-defence pact would be ready to respond. But Pakistan and Turkey are reluctant to join offensive strikes, The Economist reports.
Dhow sinks off Khasab; its crew are rescued
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Thursday, according to Reuters, that the crew of a dhow that caught fire nine nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman, were safely evacuated. The vessel sank after what the agency described as a maritime security incident.
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed three tankers had struck mines while using the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s army later claimed a fourth tanker had hit mines east of the strait; the reports did not establish when the alleged strikes occurred or identify the tankers.
US Central Command has said it cleared mines from the primary transit routes. The Iranian claims remain unverified, and Reuters did not establish a connection between them and the dhow’s sinking.
Life sentences in Sudan arms case
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced eight defendants to life imprisonment over unlicensed arms deals supplying the Sudanese Army, Asharq Al-Awsat reports. Those sentenced include Salah Gosh, Yasser Al Atta and Othman Al Zubair.
The court found that the network arranged two unlicensed deals and brought ammunition into the UAE for onward flights to Port Sudan, with documents describing the cargo as medical equipment and supplies. The court fined six companies Dh1 million each for money laundering and stripped them of their licences; it acquitted two other defendants.
The report does not say whether the defendants attended the trial or were sentenced in absentia. It also carries no response from Sudan’s government.
Nusseibeh faces questions on independence
Lana Nusseibeh told UN member states on Tuesday that a Secretary-General “takes instruction from none and answers for all”, as she made her case for the post. She pledged to defend human rights “without double standards”.
The UN’s transcript records Sudan’s representative questioning her independence and impartiality. Nusseibeh said she had taken leave from her UAE ministerial post and would refer questions about the UAE to its representation.
Kenyan foreign minister Musalia Mudavadi’s office welcomed her candidacy “on behalf of Kenya” on Monday. But on Tuesday, foreign affairs principal secretary Korir Sing’oei said Kenya had not expressed support for any candidate, The East African reports.
Israel’s count nears completion without a majority
With 99.9% of votes counted in the Central Elections Committee’s Thursday evening update, Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was on 53 seats, Gadi Eisenkot’s 48 and the Arab-led parties 19, the Times of Israel reported. Neither main bloc had the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Likud had 27 seats, and Eisenkot’s Yashar party had 21. The count included separate double-envelope ballots, but officials did not expect final results before 4 November.
Zayed the Founder Day begins in January
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has established an annual national occasion honouring Sheikh Zayed, with the first observance on 7 January 2027. The date, 7/1, represents seven emirates united as one nation, the announcement says.
Schools, institutions and communities will be invited to take part in programmes extending through the year. The announcement does not designate the day a public holiday.
A signed lease can be annulled for deception
Dubai’s Rental Disputes Center has ruled that a lease may be annulled after signing, but before it takes effect if deception is proved and the legal conditions are met, Gulf Business reports. The decision came in an appeal under existing law.
The landlord had discovered unpaid-rent judgments against a corporate tenant and arrest orders involving its manager before handing over the property. The appeal succeeded after the court initially dismissed the claim and restored both parties to their positions before signing.
The centre recommends obtaining its free Rental Good Conduct Certificate before entering a lease. It allows prospective landlords and tenants to check the other party’s history of rental cases and judgments.
A bridge on Friday, speed changes on Sunday
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority plans to open the final World Trade Centre roundabout bridge on Friday 30 October, carrying traffic from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street. From Sunday 1 November, speed limits change in both directions on five road sections:
Al Asayel Street, between Oud Maitha Street and Al Meydan Street: 60 to 80 km/h.
Al Mustaqbal Street, between Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Meydan Street: 60 to 70 km/h.
Latifa bint Hamdan Street, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road: 60 to 70 km/h.
Al Rebat Street, between Marrakech Street and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road: 100 to 90 km/h.
Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street, between 2nd December Street and Khalid bin Al Waleed Street: 80 to 70 km/h.
What I am watching
I will be watching for Iran’s response to Qatar and for public statements clarifying the reported US warnings. The vessel claims need independent evidence, while Israel’s parties face negotiations over who can form a government.
Please share this briefing with someone making travel or business plans in the Gulf. Thank you for reading, and send stories, tips or perspectives to steve@emirateswire.co.uk.
If the latest warnings have changed a booking, delivery or investment decision, I would like to hear what you changed and why. Have a good weekend, and check the new limits before Sunday’s drive.
Steve
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.