UAE and Qatar Run Security Drills Amid Fears of Iran Escalation

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar held security drills at airports and other facilities amid fears that renewed U.S. strikes on Iran could trigger retaliation against Gulf states’ infrastructure.

As of Nov. 2, Gulf states believed U.S. attacks could come as early as that week. On the same date, President Donald Trump was considering restarting the bombing campaign after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Some Gulf states sought a diplomatic solution to avert escalation. Three days of Qatari mediators’ earlier Iran talks with Iranian officials over the weekend ended without a breakthrough. Iran said it was willing to open the Strait of Hormuz if Washington accepted its conditions, and the Trump administration had not signaled acceptance.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday, Nov. 2, that Tehran remained open to diplomacy. “If they choose genuine diplomacy, we are ready to engage. But if they intend to deceive us and launch military operations, they will face a response more bitter and more severe than before,” he said.