UAE billionaire scolds Trump over reckless war on Iran

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the Emirati billionaire behind the Al Habtoor Group, wrote a long post on X in Arabic questioning Trump’s wisdom. In addition, his post showed cracks in the US-Gulf states alliance.

He accused the US and Israel of starting the current war “before the ink has dried” on the Board of Peace initiative launched by Trump in January. Furthermore, Al Habtoor also openly questioned whether the decision was Trump’s alone or the result of “pressures from Netanyahu and his government.”

He also noted that Trump has ordered more than 658 foreign airstrikes in his first year alone. This matches the total from Biden’s entire term. Moreover, there are military operations now spanning seven countries including Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.

Habtoor dropped a different kind of bomb – one aimed straight at Trump’s political standing. The billionaire noted that the president’s approval ratings have dropped nine percent since his first 400 days in office. He attributed it to Trump’s foreign intervention binge (read war crime binge).

People have been resharing the post on X.

Joe Guinan said on X: Trouble for Trump with his base – the billionaire class.

Al Quds New Network said

UAE billionaire Khalaf Al‑Habtoor, chairman of Al Habtoor Group, publicly criticized Donald Trump for dragging Gulf countries into a dangerous war with Iran without their consent. He questioned who authorized Trump to escalate the war and warned that Gulf nations would suffer first from the consequences. He also asked whether Trump was incited by war criminal Netanyahu. Habtoor argued that the war contradicts U.S. promises of peace initiatives in the region, including plans to rebuild Gaza Strip, which Gulf states were expected to fund. He also accused Trump of breaking his pledge to avoid new wars and risking American lives and regional stability.

Middle East Eye (MEE) highlighted the comments from the Emirati billionaire.

According to MEE, the billionaire was once a Trump ally. He also embraced and welcomes Trump’s Abraham Accords with open arms.

The Financial Times reported that Gulf states are quietly reviewing their overseas investments, including pledges to the US, sports sponsorships, and corporate contracts, as the Iran war strains their budgets.

Drop Site News reshared the FT article along with Al Habtoor’s post, saying officials say reduced energy exports, disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, declining tourism and aviation, and rising defence spending are squeezing finances.

What do we know – even billionaires make valid points sometimes.

Featured image via the Canary