UAE Residents Update: Trump Rules Out Iran Strike Today, Riyadh Airport Reopens and Injuries Reported in Saudi Arabia

This UAE residents update covers 13 developments from Sunday, October 25, 2026, from Riyadh's airport reopening to Trump's statement on Iran

UAE Residents Update at a Glance

• Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopened terminals 1 and 2 on October 25 after a two-week closure
• Several airlines have cancelled or adjusted Saudi services, with some changes running into November and December
• Trump said "there will not be a strike today" on Iran, while saying fresh action could be possible
• Iran says it is open to talks and urged households to cut gas use by at least 10 per cent
• Israel votes on Tuesday, days after new West Bank restrictions

1. Riyadh Airport Reopens: The Key Travel Point in This UAE Residents Update

Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport reopened terminals 1 and 2 on Sunday, October 25, after a two-week closure. Security concerns and airline schedule changes continue to affect regional travel. The Houthis have warned that Riyadh airport remains a military target.

For anyone in the UAE with plans involving Saudi Arabia, the practical advice is simple: check directly with your airline before heading to the airport, because some services remain suspended or have been rescheduled.

2. UAE Airlines Adjust Saudi Services Into November and December

Several airlines have cancelled or adjusted services to Saudi Arabia, affecting routes from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have listed the affected services on their own channels.

• Check the latest notices on Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia
• Some European and Asian routes to Dubai are being restored, which gives travellers more options
• Some suspensions and schedule changes extend into November and December

If you have booked flights or are planning a Saudi visit, see also our Dubai airport guide and Saudi visit visa guide.

3. Missile Interceptions and Injuries in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile and two drones targeting Riyadh, along with other projectiles aimed at southern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Civil Defence reported two people injured and damage to three residential buildings and seven vehicles in Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah.

4. UAE Condemns Houthi Missile Targeting Attempt

The UAE has strongly condemned the Houthi group's attempt to target several areas in Saudi Arabia using ballistic missiles. In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attempt violated Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and threatened its security and stability, and reaffirmed the UAE's solidarity with the kingdom. Official statements are published by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

5. Al Nassr-Al Wasl Match Postponed

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) postponed the AFC Champions League Elite match between Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr and the UAE's Al Wasl after travel disruptions prevented the Dubai club from travelling to Riyadh. The match had been scheduled for Monday. The AFC said a new date and kick-off time will be announced in due course. Fixtures are published by the AFC.

6. Trump Rules Out a US Strike on Iran Today: UAE Residents Update on the Iran Standoff

Trump has ruled out a US strike on Iran today but warned that fresh military action could be possible, while suggesting a deal with Tehran remains within reach. Leaving the White House for Michigan, he was asked whether US strikes could resume that day. "Would I tell you that?" he said, before adding: "The answer is no, there will not be a strike today."

Earlier, asked by reporters in Florida whether Washington would attack, Trump said the US could strike as early as Sunday while suggesting a deal remained possible: "Do you really think I'd tell you that?" US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack also said a strike over the weekend was possible.

• Trump has said the US-Israeli military campaign, launched on February 28, was intended to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said renewed conflict would not change Tehran's policies and warned Washington against further strikes

For UAE residents, this is the part of the UAE residents update to watch, because the Strait of Hormuz sits at the centre of the tension.

7. Iran Says It Remains Open to Talks With the US

Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said Tehran remains open to negotiations under a Pakistan-brokered interim agreement reached in June. He said Iran had conveyed its willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifted its naval blockade, and he accused the US of undermining diplomacy. The two sides remain at odds over the terms of a wider settlement.

8. Iran Urges Households to Cut Gas Use Ahead of Winter

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, urged households to cut natural gas consumption by at least 10 per cent ahead of winter, saying people who save gas would receive matching payments. Iran's first vice-president has warned of a possible daily gas shortfall of 100 million to 250 million cubic metres in the cold season.

9. Iran Reports Drone Attack on Kurdish Opposition Group in Iraq

Iran's Mehr news agency reported a drone attack on the headquarters of the Kurdish opposition group Komala in Iraq's Kurdistan region. The report said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' ground forces targeted the group's base in the Balisan region. Tehran has accused Iranian Kurdish opposition groups of receiving Israeli support.

10. Sri Lanka Repatriates 40 Iranian Sailors

Sri Lanka gave medical assistance to 40 Iranian sailors after a distress call from ships near its waters. They were brought ashore at Galle on Saturday and repatriated early Sunday. Authorities previously reported 19 ships about 24 nautical miles off the island, with crews short of food, water and fuel amid restrictions linked to the US naval blockade.

11. Israel Intensifies Operations in the West Bank

The Israeli military announced new restrictions in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, including a ban on Palestinian labourers working in Israeli settlements, after an attack in Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three. Israeli forces have carried out arrests and demolished buildings in Hebron, the municipality said about 2,200 people had been displaced, and several crossings have been closed. The developments come days before Israel's election on Tuesday, the first since the Hamas-led attacks of October 2023 and the regional wars that followed.

12. Gaza Strikes Kill Seven, Palestinian Officials Say

Israeli strikes in Gaza killed seven people and wounded eight on Sunday, according to Palestinian hospital officials. The reported deaths included four people in Gaza City, two brothers in Khan Younis and one person in Deir Al Balah. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began in October 2025. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its overall toll.

13. Israelis Abroad Prepare to Vote

Tens of thousands of Israelis living overseas are expected to return home to vote in Tuesday's election, according to the US-based AID Coalition. Citizens generally must vote in person in the country. Israel has more than 7.3 million registered voters, and opinion polls suggest a closely contested race.

What to Watch in Today's UAE Residents Update

• Flights: check airline websites and booking notifications before travelling, particularly on Saudi Arabia routes
• Regional security: follow developments on possible US strikes on Iran and missile interceptions in Saudi Arabia
• Energy and shipping: any escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could affect regional shipping and energy markets
• Official updates: follow UAE authority advisories and avoid relying on unverified social media reports

You can read more on the longer-term picture in our report on US embassy staff leaving Saudi Arabia and the official UAE government portal.

UAE Residents Update: What Is Confirmed and What Is Not

• Stated on the record: Trump's remarks, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, the AFC's postponement and Saudi Civil Defence's report of injuries
• Reported by one side or an agency: Iran's drone attack report, its ambassador's account of Iran's position and Palestinian hospital officials' casualty figures
• Not independently confirmed: the circumstances of the reported strike on Komala's headquarters

UAE Residents Update FAQs

What is in today's UAE residents update?

Riyadh airport's reopening, revised Saudi flight schedules, Trump ruling out an Iran strike today, Iran's offer of talks and gas-saving appeal, and events in Israel and Gaza.

Is Riyadh airport open, according to this UAE residents update?

King Khalid International Airport reopened terminals 1 and 2 on October 25 after a two-week closure. Some services remain suspended or rescheduled, so check with your airline.

Will the US strike Iran, according to this UAE residents update?

Trump said there would be no strike today but suggested fresh action could be possible, while saying a deal remained within reach.

Conclusion: What This UAE Residents Update Means for the Week Ahead

This UAE residents update shows a region where travel, security and energy are tightly linked. Riyadh airport is open again but under threat, airlines are still adjusting schedules and talks between Washington and Tehran remain uncertain. Follow official advisories and confirm flights before you travel.