‘Not our war’: Gulf states weigh up options as existential threat from Iran conflict grows

2026-03-20 - 15:59

Arab states have so far only responded defensively, but there is growing fear the Middle East war is entering a new, even more dangerous frontier Middle East crisis – live updates The boom reverberated so loudly over Dubai marina that the windows of the surrounding skyscrapers and exclusive hotels gave a loud, disconcerting rattle. “That sounded close, do you think a missile has hit something?” said a young man to his friend as they sipped coffees. Moments earlier, all mobile phones in the vicinity had sounded off with a shrill alarm, the new normal for those living in the Gulf, warning of missile and drone strikes in the area. Customers barely looked up. Continue reading...