A prominent Emirati businessman has sharply criticised U.S. President Donald Trump in an open letter questioning Washington’s actions in the Middle East following the escalation of conflict with Iran.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, a billionaire and influential figure in the United Arab Emirates, published a letter addressed to Trump, asking why the United States had drawn the region deeper into a confrontation with Tehran. The letter circulated widely online after being highlighted in social media posts.
“Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran?” Al Habtoor wrote. “Who gave you permission to turn our region into a battlefield?”
The comments come as tensions across the Middle East have increased after U.S. military operations targeting Iranian sites. Regional security concerns have grown, with several Gulf states hosting American military facilities that could potentially be involved in operations or become targets of retaliation.
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The United States maintains a major military presence in the Gulf region, including installations in the UAE that support American forces operating in the Middle East. These facilities have historically been used for surveillance, logistics, and regional security coordination.
Al Habtoor’s letter questions whether regional allies were properly consulted before the military escalation involving Iran. In the letter, he referenced earlier diplomatic messaging about peace initiatives, arguing that the conflict appears to contradict those efforts.
“Before the ink has dried on your Board of Peace initiative, we find ourselves facing military escalation that endangers the entire region,” he wrote. “So where did those initiatives go?”
The businessman argued that decisions leading to military confrontation risk destabilizing countries across the Gulf. He warned that turning the region into a battleground could place civilians, infrastructure, and economic stability at risk.
Al Habtoor is widely known in the UAE and across the Gulf as a business leader and political commentator. He heads a major hospitality and investment group and has previously served in diplomatic roles. His statements often attract attention because of his influence in regional business and policy discussions.
Political observers note that criticism from figures connected to Gulf business and political circles can signal broader concerns about regional security and stability.
In his letter, Al Habtoor emphasized that leadership should prioritize diplomacy and cooperation rather than escalating military conflict.
“True leadership is not measured by war decisions,” he wrote. “It is measured by wisdom, respect for others, and pushing toward achieving peace.”
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The letter was shared widely online and sparked discussion about the role of U.S. allies in the current crisis. Some social media users interpreted Al Habtoor’s remarks as reflecting concerns within the Gulf about the risks of being drawn into a wider conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The Middle East hosts numerous American military bases that support operations across the region. While these bases are operated in cooperation with host governments, military escalation involving Iran could expose Gulf states to potential retaliation.
Iran has previously warned that U.S. facilities across the region could become targets if conflict intensifies. That possibility has heightened anxiety in several countries that maintain close security partnerships with Washington while also seeking to avoid becoming direct participants in a larger war.
Despite the criticism contained in the letter, officials in Gulf states have not issued formal statements suggesting a shift in their strategic partnerships with the United States. The UAE remains one of Washington’s closest security partners in the Middle East, cooperating extensively on defense, intelligence, and counterterrorism.
The Kenya Times reached out to the White House through Communications Director Steven Cheung to request an official comment regarding the statements made by Mr. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor. As of the time of publication, the White House had not provided a response.
This leaves the Administration’s position on the criticisms and questions raised by the Emirati businessman unclarified, and any further updates will be reported as they become available.
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