UAE billionaire questions Trump over Iran war decision

Prominent Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has publicly criticised US President Donald Trump.

Prominent Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has publicly criticised US President Donald Trump over the escalating conflict with Iran, asking who authorised the United States to pull the Middle East into a new war.

Al Habtoor, founder of the Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group, posted a lengthy message on social media addressing Trump directly. In the statement, he questioned the decision to launch military operations against Iran and warned that the consequences of the conflict would be felt first by countries in the region.

“Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran?” Al Habtoor wrote. “And on what basis did you make this dangerous decision?” He added that leaders in the Middle East had the right to ask whether the risks of escalation had been fully considered.

The businessman argued that any military confrontation involving Iran would place neighbouring countries at immediate risk. According to his statement, the people of the Middle East would likely bear the earliest and most severe consequences of the conflict, including economic disruption and regional instability.

Al Habtoor also questioned whether the decision reflected the will of regional governments or was influenced by pressure from other political actors. His comments referred broadly to concerns that external decisions could draw Gulf countries into a confrontation they had not chosen.

The remarks come amid rising tensions following US military action against Iran and retaliatory strikes across parts of the Middle East. The confrontation has raised fears of a wider regional conflict involving multiple actors.

Although Al Habtoor does not hold a government position, he is one of the United Arab Emirates’ most well-known business figures and has occasionally spoken publicly on political and regional issues. His company operates major projects across hospitality, real estate and construction in the Gulf and internationally.

His statement also highlighted the financial and human costs of war. He warned that conflicts funded by governments ultimately affect ordinary citizens through economic strain, security risks and long-term instability.

So far there has been no public response from the White House to Al Habtoor’s comments. The United States has defended its actions against Iran as necessary to protect its interests and regional security.

The exchange reflects growing debate within parts of the Middle East about the potential consequences of a prolonged conflict involving Iran and the United States.