"A war we did not choose" - Emirati billionaire attacks Trump's decision

Khalaf Al Habtoor is one of the most influential businessmen in the Arab world. The founder and chairman of the Al Habtoor Group stands for hotels, real estate projects and investments across several countries in the Middle East. When someone from this circle speaks out publicly, it is closely noted across the region. That is exactly what has happened now. In a statement, Al Habtoor said that Donald Trump's decision to expand the war in the Middle East has placed the Gulf states in a dangerous situation they did not choose themselves. The consequences of this war, he warned, would not only affect Iran or Israel, but also those countries caught between the fronts.

The businessman expressed his criticism unusually clearly. Trump's actions, he said, have put the Gulf and other Arab countries "at the heart of a danger they did not choose." In doing so he pointed to an issue that is being discussed in many capitals across the region. Military bases, energy infrastructure and key trade routes lie within immediate reach of potential attacks. Any escalation between Washington, Israel and Tehran automatically turns these locations into possible targets.

Al Habtoor went further. The war, in his view, is costing American lives in a conflict that is not theirs to fight. His words come at a time when the military situation continues to escalate. In Kuwait several American service members were killed in missile attacks while Iranian retaliatory strikes have targeted installations linked to American operations. The criticism from the United Arab Emirates is notable because it comes from a man who is not part of any political opposition. Khalaf Al Habtoor represents an economic elite that usually speaks cautiously and rarely attacks American presidents openly. His companies work with international partners, invest in infrastructure and tourism, and are closely tied to the economic development of the Gulf region.

For that reason his statement carries weight. It shows that the war is no longer seen only as a military confrontation. For many countries in the region the issue is stability, trade and security. The Persian Gulf is one of the most important energy routes in the world. Any escalation threatens not only cities and military bases but also oil terminals, ports and international supply chains. Al Habtoor is voicing a concern that exists in many Arab states. The war is being fought by major powers, but the immediate risks fall on the countries of the region. Missiles, drones and military counterattacks reach first those places where American bases, ports or energy facilities are located.

That a businessman of his stature is making this criticism publicly shows how deep the anxiety has become. The economic elite of the Gulf states depends on stability and open trade routes. A war that spreads across the entire region puts this model into question. The words of Khalaf Al Habtoor are therefore more than a personal opinion. They reflect growing unease in a region that suddenly finds itself at the center of a conflict many there do not consider their own.