Saudi, UAE Move Toward War
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are taking concrete steps toward direct involvement in the Iran war, preparing to join a US‑Israel coalition as Tehran’s attacks on regional energy infrastructure accelerate. Analysts say Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have expanded cooperation with US forces — including base access and intel sharing — because they fear a premature ceasefire would let Iran regroup, even as indirect US‑Iran contacts and regional mediation efforts continue. (bloomberg.com) (investing.com) (cfr.org)
Saudi authorities reportedly granted U.S. forces access to King Fahd Air Base in Taif for operations related to Iran, according to multiple U.S. and Western officials cited in regional reporting on March 20–21, 2026. (iranintl.com) Dubai authorities ordered the closure of Iranian state‑linked institutions — including the Iranian Hospital and Iranian schools — and instructed some Iran‑sent staff to leave, according to AFP reporting and subsequent UAE coverage. (straitstimes.com) The U.S. approved roughly $23 billion in weapons sales to three Gulf countries this month, a move Washington officials say is intended to bolster Gulf defenses amid the broader conflict. (cnbc.com) Major maritime insurance clubs withdrew war‑risk cover for vessels operating in the Persian Gulf in early March, prompting shipowners to reroute and reprice voyages, according to Bloomberg reporting. (bloomberg.com) The U.S. administration unveiled a proposed $20 billion maritime reinsurance backstop to try to revive Gulf shipping, but Moody’s and industry analysts warned the plan would likely fail to restart normal flows without liability coverage. (insurancejournal.com) Benchmark Brent crude traded around $104 per barrel on March 24 and had risen roughly 40% month‑on‑month amid supply fears from Gulf disruptions, according to market data and price trackers. (tradingeconomics.com) The UAE Capital Market Authority ordered the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market closed on March 2–3, 2026 as authorities assessed market stability after strikes, a decision confirmed by the UAE state agency and Bloomberg. (wam.ae) U.S. and Iranian officials engaged in indirect contacts on March 23 as mediators relayed messages, while Tehran publicly denied formal talks the same day, according to the Council on Foreign Relations summary and reporting from Al Jazeera and CBS. (cfr.org)
