Amid escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and the United States, DP World’s Group Chairman and CEO Sultan bin Sulayem has emphatically declared that the United Arab Emirates remains insulated from regional conflicts and continues to be a secure environment for international business operations. The statement came during the inauguration ceremony of the Petrochem Terminal and Corporate Headquarters at Jebel Ali Free Zone on Tuesday.
Bin Sulayem contextualized current tensions within historical perspective, noting that the eight-year Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) represented the most significant regional crisis for the UAE without disrupting economic stability. He specifically referenced previous confrontations involving Israel, the US, and Iran that similarly failed to impact Emirati business operations.
The current escalation stems from widespread protests within Iran that have reportedly resulted in over 500 fatalities, prompting threatening rhetoric from US President Donald Trump and counter-warnings from Iranian officials regarding potential strikes on Israel. Despite these developments, Bin Sulayem expressed confidence that maritime commerce—the lifeblood of Dubai’s economy—would remain uninterrupted.
Highlighting the UAE’s exceptional safety credentials, the executive noted that Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah consistently rank among the world’s five safest cities according to Numbeo’s global metrics. This security framework, combined with DP World’s expansive global footprint across 146 locations and 94 international terminals, reinforces the organization’s capacity to maintain operational continuity regardless of regional tensions.
Bin Sulayem concluded by inviting increased international investment, citing Petrochem Middle East’s recent Dh300 million expansion within Jebel Ali Free Zone as evidence of continued business confidence in Dubai’s stable economic environment.