US-Iran conflict: What UAE residents need to know tonight (August 19)

As of August 19, tensions between the United States and Iran continue to be high, with Iran cautioning Gulf states against supporting US forces. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has refuted rumors of cancelling residency visas for workers and offering financial aid to Iran, describing these claims as false information in what the UAE sees as "desperate media campaigns." Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, emphasized the country's focus on managing regional developments.

Airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and flydubai are still operating some regional flights, but cancellations and delays persist on certain routes due to the ongoing escalation. Emirates has canceled two Dubai-Bahrain flights, while Air Arabia has canceled services to Kuwait and Bahrain. Additionally, several delays are being reported at Dubai International Airport, with Etihad extending cancellations on some Abu Dhabi-Bahrain services until August 21.

Travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and allow extra time for their journey. Airfares may remain elevated through 2026 due to the disruption to Gulf airspace, airline capacity, and fuel markets, according to a report by Tourise and Oxford Economics.

Iran has warned Gulf states against aiding the US military, stating that any assistance or facilitation to the US amounts to participation in the military operation. This warning comes as the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier, is being redeployed to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. Iraq has requested special status for Iraqi oil exports passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a request made by parliament speaker Haibat Al Halbousi during talks with his Iranian counterpart.

The US is reportedly seeking an "honorable exit" from the region, describing a "new regional order" where foreign powers' influence is diminishing. The NATO alliance is prepared to respond to any threats and will always defend its allies, following a report from The Financial Times suggesting Iran had considered targeting US military facilities in Europe.

With nearly six months of conflict, President Trump appears to rely on economic and naval pressure rather than immediate diplomacy, while Iran indicates readiness to continue fighting if pressure persists.