The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S, Consulate General in Dubai have canceled all consular appointments through July 15 amid worsening regional security conditions, according to Kurdistan24. This follows Iranian missile attacks on two Emirati oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which killed one crew member, and continued U.S. military strikes against Iran.

Evacuations and security alerts intensify

According to La Voz de Galicia. The Spanish government has begun evacuating citizens from the Middle East, with 175 people arriving in Madrid from Abu Dhabi; Minister José Manuel Albares announced the operation, citing 30,000 Spanish nationals in the region. The U.S. Embassy in the UAE has also issued an urgent security alert, advising Americans to leave by commercial means due to “serious security risks.”

Bullying Sin Fronteras reported that the U.S, though Consulate in Dubai was attacked by Iranian drones, causing significant chaos, and Emergency teams arrived quickly and contained the fire. The U.S. Embassy recommended that U.S. citizens remain indoors, avoid windows, and keep essential supplies on hand, the attack is part of a broader pattern of retaliatory strikes across the Persian Gulf, which have targeted airports, hotels, and strategic ports in Dubai.

Regional military actions and diplomatic tensions

KBS News reported that an Iranian projectile targeting Abu Dhabi was intercepted, and the Persian Gulf is within range of Iranian ballistic missiles, which can reach the area in under 10 minutes. Attacks have also spread to Saudi Arabia, with the U.S. embassy in Riyadh being struck by an Iranian drone — Qatar responded by shooting down Iranian fighter jets, according to the report.

According to ORF, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for further “hard” attacks on Iran and predicted the war would end in four to five weeks. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that administration change in Iran was not a war objective. In response to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran vowed to retaliate with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. allies. The conflict has expanded into Lebanon after Hezbollah launched attacks, prompting Israeli counterstrikes.

Concerns for Dubai’s business climate

Dubai, long seen as a secure hub for business and international trade, now faces uncertainty due to the ongoing attacks. Dr. Javier Miglino Helfenstein noted that recent events have cast doubt on the sustainability of Dubai’s economic ventures, from gold shipments to internet businesses — the city’s reputation as a safe haven is being tested, raising questions about the future of business in the region.

The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi remains under ordered-departure status, with non-emergency personnel relocated from the UAE; Routine visa services are suspended, and only limited emergency assistance is available for U.S. citizens. Americans are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), maintain emergency supplies, and follow local authorities’ instructions.