AGP Executive Report

UAE-Russia Deal: The UAE’s Trade in Services and Investment Agreement with Russia has entered into force, expanding market access for services exports and investor protections, and adding to the broader UAE-EAEU goods framework. BRICS Tourism: Abu Dhabi-backed participation in BRICS Tourism talks in Jaipur led to adoption of the Jaipur Declaration, with a focus on AI in tourism, sustainability, skills building, and smoother travel facilitation. Energy Diplomacy: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy wrapped a US visit aimed at aligning energy-and-water resilience policy, boosting innovation and advanced technologies, and building a partner network to scale its resilience framework globally. Regional Security Tensions: An Iranian lawmaker warned Gulf states, including the UAE, about US military aircraft and refueling operations, signaling heightened concern over US support for extended Gulf deployments. UAE in the News Cycle: Etihad apologized after an in-flight announcement issue involving Taiwan’s status, while a Henley Passport update put the UAE among the biggest climbers for visa-free access. Business & Finance: Burgan Bank in Kuwait received an MSCI ESG rating upgrade to BBB, reflecting maturing sustainability and governance practices across the region’s banking sector.

UAE-Iran Economic Fallout: The UAE suspended all financial and economic transactions with Iran indefinitely after renewed missile threats, tightening pressure on Tehran beyond existing U.S. sanctions and raising risks for regional energy payments and trade flows. Hormuz Shipping Recovery: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said U.S. Navy support helped move over 15 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, with a seven-day average above 8 million bpd—an improvement, but still below pre-conflict levels. US Sanctions Push: Washington is preparing “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran, pairing a blockade with new measures aimed at cutting Tehran’s oil revenue and financial links. Regional Diplomacy on Palestine: The UAE joined Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others in condemning Israel’s E1 settlement plan, calling for an immediate halt and warning it threatens a contiguous Palestinian state. UAE Payments Upgrade: Dubai Islamic Bank launched the Jaywan debit card, expanding the UAE’s national card scheme to more consumers. UAE Legal/Compliance Watch: TikTok agreed to pay $400m to settle a U.S. children’s privacy case, following major changes to its U.S. ownership structure. Local Politics/Investigation: Kerala’s ED probe into Pinarayi Vijayan’s opposition-linked daughter alleges Dubai hawala-linked transfers, including amounts recorded in UAE dirhams.

Middle East Diplomacy: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt jointly condemned Israel’s “E1” settlement plan east of occupied East Jerusalem, calling it a “dangerous escalation” that undermines West Bank–East Jerusalem contiguity and threatens a viable Palestinian state, while urging immediate action to halt and rescind related settlement measures. Public Sector Tech: The UAE Public Prosecution met the Ministry of Interior to discuss integrating assistive AI and digital transformation into judicial and administrative workflows to speed casework and improve services. Immigration & Work Rules: The UAE published a full list of 13 work permit categories for foreign workers, and also set out the fee for a single-entry tourist visa when applying from inside the country. Business & Markets: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange reported 99% compliance for H1 audited financial disclosures, and Orbitworks said it sold capacity for its Altair satellite constellation to France’s CNES, boosting the UAE’s commercial space push. Regional Economy: Oil prices edged toward a weekly gain as Iran-war uncertainty and U.S. sanctions threats continued to rattle markets.

U.S.-Iran Pressure Campaign: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington is unlikely to restart major military action against Iran, betting that “maximum economic pressure” can do the job, while Trump doubles down on an “economic D-Day” and warns countries and firms providing lifelines to Tehran could face severe consequences. UAE-Iran Trade Freeze: The UAE has suspended trade and financial transactions with Iran amid renewed missile-related tensions, with analysts and policy trackers saying Abu Dhabi is preparing phased restrictions alongside expected U.S. measures. Oil Markets: Oil prices stayed volatile but were set for a second weekly rise as war-linked disruptions keep supply tight across the Gulf, including the UAE. Hezbollah Sanctions: The U.S. issued fresh sanctions targeting Hezbollah’s cash network and re-designated the group under a terrorism authority tied to Iran’s IRGC-Qods Force. UAE Finance Transparency Row: Nigeria’s finance minister Taiwo Oyedele says the government will not publish spending details of a $5bn FAB loan, arguing it will disclose how it spends government money generally. Maritime Security: Two separate hijackings involving Indian crews were reported off Yemen and Somalia, raising renewed piracy concerns in key shipping lanes.

UAE-Iran Pressure & Hormuz Fallout: The UAE suspended trade and financial dealings with Iran after missile alerts and alleged attacks, as Trump escalated threats of “economic warfare” and “economic D-Day” against any country providing “lifelines” to Tehran—pushing oil prices higher and raising market jitters. Dubai Property Boom: Dubai’s real estate sector surged in H1 2026, with 104 projects completed and investment value topping AED111bn, up 52% year-on-year, reinforcing investor confidence. Humanitarian Spotlight: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid will sponsor treatment for a Jordanian girl with spinal muscular atrophy at Al Jalila Hospital in Dubai, following another similar sponsored case. UAE Governance & Media Rules: The National Media Authority launched legal action against a resident for offensive social media content about Emirati women and suspended her advertising permit for three months. Water Diplomacy: Kenya and the UAE reaffirmed ties under CEPA, with talks also focused on energy, water infrastructure, and preparations for a UN water conference hosted by the UAE in December. Youth & Finance Policy: The Ministry of Finance held a “MoF Youth” forum to boost youth participation in shaping the government’s financial ecosystem.

UAE-Iran Economic Freeze: The UAE rejected rumours about cancelling labour residencies and providing financial facilities to Iran, while also suspending trade and financial transactions with Tehran after alleged missile activity, deepening pressure as Iran denies the claims and keeps Strait of Hormuz shipping constrained. US “Economic D-Day” Pressure: US President Donald Trump escalated the campaign to isolate Iran, warning any country offering a “lifeline” to Tehran faces “tremendous” economic consequences, listing oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers and front companies—details still unclear. Hormuz Shipping Shift: Reports say most vessels are routing via Oman, suggesting Iran’s grip on toll collection is weakening even as tensions keep oil markets volatile. Abu Dhabi Soft Power Abroad: The Discover Abu Dhabi Festival opened in Moscow, highlighting Emirati culture, crafts and cuisine through a five-day public programme. Smart City Governance: A UAE-focused piece argues AI and smart-city delivery fail when operating models aren’t redesigned for execution, pushing for portfolio-style coordination over scattered pilots.

UAE-Iran Fallout: The UAE suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran after renewed missile fire, following nationwide shelter warnings in Dubai; Iran denies the UAE’s claims and warns Gulf states against aiding the US, while analysts say Abu Dhabi’s role as a re-export hub could amplify the economic hit. Regional Security: A prisoner exchange under the UAE-mediated “103 for 103” formula saw 103 Russian servicemen returned from Ukrainian captivity and 103 Ukrainians transferred to Ukraine, with UAE humanitarian mediation cited. Humanitarian & Social Policy: The UAE sent school supplies for 25,000 Gazan children via Sharjah to Egypt as part of “Through Education We Rise,” while Dubai approved 1,295 humanitarian cases in six months and UAE vape excise rules (from Sept 1) aim to deter new vaping. Energy & Industry: CCEA approved 14 LNG cargoes and a UAE-linked urea fertiliser deal for Bangladesh, and DEWA said it is embedding carbon and biodiversity measures across infrastructure projects. Youth & Governance: The Arab Youth Centre opened its first regional office in Jordan, extending its Abu Dhabi model through a partnership led by the Crown Prince Foundation.

UAE-Iran Escalation: Abu Dhabi says it detected two Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at maritime navigation, with one landing outside UAE waters and the other within, after a phone alert to residents; Tehran denies the claim. Economic Freeze: Following the missile incident, the UAE has suspended all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran indefinitely, citing escalations that threaten peace and security and warning against misinformation. Hormuz Pressure: With US-Iran talks off the table and the Strait of Hormuz still contested, oil prices are edging higher as shipping patterns shift and traders price in longer disruption risk. Regional Diplomacy: The UAE also condemned Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase, reiterating support for Syria’s sovereignty and calling for international action to stop repeated attacks. UAE Governance & Resilience: Sharjah’s Digital Department won an Esri GIS award for its “Mada” rainfall simulation project, aimed at improving disaster readiness and coordination. Legal/Business Watch: A UAE civil code update highlights Article 340’s rules on pre-agreed construction delay compensation and when courts can adjust liquidated damages.

Hormuz Security & UAE Alerts: The UAE issued a missile-threat alert and told residents to shelter, later saying interceptions explained any sounds—amid renewed Iran–US tensions after a ceasefire window expired. Maritime Disruption: A ship was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz as shipping remained severely curtailed; the UAE also blamed Iran for attacks on ADNOC-linked vessels in earlier reports. US Posture Review: The Pentagon is reassessing how many forces it keeps in the Gulf after damage to US bases, with officials framing it as “prudent planning” rather than a formal pullback order. UAE Energy Contracts: ADNOC Gas approved major Habshan and Ruwais expansions, awarding multi-billion EPC work to China and Italy firms—signaling continued downstream and LNG-linked investment despite chokepoint risk. UAE Scholarships Update: The Ministry of Higher Education tightened scholarship rules for Emiratis, setting destination-country and university ranking thresholds and prioritising sectors like energy, transport, tech, health, and finance. Finance Talent Pipeline: The UAE Ministry of Finance partnered with DIFC Academy to roll out certified programmes for chief finance directors and financial consultants. Abu Dhabi Human Capital: Rabdan Academy launched a Bachelor of Disaster Management programme to build national disaster and emergency leadership aligned with international standards.

Strait of Hormuz Diplomacy: Iran says it has reached an understanding with Oman on a ship-transit route map, but both sides are still finalising a joint announcement—while US President Donald Trump escalated threats, warning he will “bomb” Oman if it “gets in the way,” as the 60-day US-Iran interim framework expires. Regional De-escalation Calls: Kuwait’s foreign minister held phone calls with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Jordan to review regional developments and push de-escalation. UAE-Linked Security Fallout: The Hormuz standoff continues to rattle energy markets, with oil prices settling higher on supply worries and Iran signaling a shift to a “fully offensive” posture if talks fail. AD Ports Privatization: L’IMAD/ADQ made a voluntary cash offer to take AD Ports Group fully private, valuing it around $8.6bn, after already owning about 75%. Regulatory Update for Gaming: UAE’s gambling regulator GCGRA signed an MoU with ADGM’s FSRA to formalise cooperation and information sharing. UAE Space & Environment: UAE University launched an environmental-protection satellite to support sustainability research and decision-making. Gaza Diplomacy: Hamas urged mediators and the “Board of Peace” to press Israel to implement Gaza ceasefire commitments and approve the next-phase roadmap.

Gaza Diplomacy: UAE and other Muslim-majority foreign ministers condemned Israel’s rejection of the US Gaza peace plan, urging full implementation and progress toward the second phase, as Jared Kushner pressed Netanyahu after Hamas talks. Hormuz Security: Strait of Hormuz traffic has collapsed into single digits after the US-Iran 60-day MoU deadline expired, with Iran warning of a “fully offensive” posture and the US threatening escalation; Trump also warned Oman it could be bombed if it “gets in the way.” UAE-Oman Ties: Sheikh Mohamed met Oman’s Sultan Haitham in Abu Dhabi to discuss regional security and deepen economic cooperation. AD Ports Deal: AD Ports shares jumped nearly 15% after L’IMAD signaled a voluntary conditional cash offer to buy the remaining stake, potentially taking the group private. Visa Rules: The UAE set a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 for foreigners sponsoring a friend’s visit visa, tightening entry access. Abu Dhabi Mosque Numbers: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre welcomed 3.1 million guests in H1 2026, with international visitors driving tourism and major religious observances drawing large crowds. Masdar Offshore Wind: Masdar and ScottishPower completed foundation installation at the East Anglia Three offshore wind farm, a major UK clean-energy milestone.

Sovereign Dealmaking: Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding says it intends to buy the remaining 25% of AD Ports Group, offering Dh6.25 per share (about $1.70) — a 23% premium — as it moves to take the logistics and ports operator fully private. Gaza Diplomacy: US envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt, aiming to revive a US-backed Gaza roadmap after Israel rejected a 15-point plan; the UAE and other Muslim-majority states condemned Israel’s stance and warned it could derail Palestinian statehood efforts. Hormuz Pressure on Prices: Oil prices edged up as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed after tanker attacks and US-Iran talks stalled; the UAE has blamed Iran for attacks on ADNOC-linked vessels. Regional Security Fallout: Iran rejected Trump’s claim that Hormuz could become US territory, insisting the strait “will remain Iranian,” while Gulf allies reportedly weigh whether US bases should stay amid frustration over the Iran war. Public Safety in Abu Dhabi: Jaheziya launched “Al Ain Readiness” to strengthen hospital and first-responder preparedness after a two-year pilot phase. Law Enforcement: A Pune court remanded alleged drug kingpin Virender Singh Basoya to NCB custody until Aug. 21 after his extradition from the UAE.

Gaza Diplomacy: UAE and seven Muslim-majority states condemned Israel’s rejection of Trump’s 15-point Gaza roadmap, saying it “undermines” the plan and Palestinian statehood, as Jared Kushner pushes Hamas disarmament-with-withdrawal talks in Egypt ahead of a Netanyahu meeting. Regional Security Pacts: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, an “attack on one is an attack on all” framework that deepens intelligence and defense cooperation and signals a new Sunni bloc dynamic. Hormuz Pressure & Shipping: Iran rejected Trump’s claim it will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory, insisting it will remain Iranian, while reports say oil producers are using covert shuttle routes to keep global prices steady despite attacks and disruptions. US Military Posture: CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln amid reports of mental health and supply strain on the long-deployed carrier supporting operations tied to the Iran-Hormuz standoff. UAE Governance & Mobility: ICP published UAE visit-visa document requirements and a fee schedule, while also listing categories of residents allowed to stay abroad beyond 180 days without losing permits. Business & Tech: UAE topped Kearney’s 2026 Global Telecom Health Index, and Sharjah backed youth AI entrepreneurship through an SCCI-led forum with federal tax and digital partners. Finance Update: APIC reported 55% H1 2026 EBITDA growth to $44m, with revenue up 15% to $688.2m.

Strait of Hormuz Standoff: Iran’s deputy foreign minister rejected Trump’s claim that the US will soon declare Hormuz US territory, insisting the waterway “will remain Iranian” and that it can only be opened or closed under Iran’s command, as shipping stays severely disrupted and fuel-price pressure grows. UAE Blames Iran on ADNOC Attack: The UAE said Iran attacked an ADNOC-linked vessel in the Strait for the third time this week, calling it a “flagrant violation” and “piracy” by the IRGC, while ADNOC reported no injuries. US Military Presence: CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper wrapped a 10-day West Asia trip that included meetings in the UAE and a visit to USS Abraham Lincoln, amid reports of strained conditions for sailors during the long deployment. Regional Diplomacy Friction: Gulf states are reportedly increasingly frustrated with Washington’s handling of Iran talks, even as they remain tied to US security. UAE Soft Power & Policy: Abu Dhabi marked India’s 80th Independence Day with Burj Khalifa lights, while AQU announced an international conference on the UAE’s Islamic economy. Inclusive Governance: NBB in Bahrain appointed an equal opportunities committee to expand inclusion across operations.

Strait of Hormuz Crisis: The UAE condemned renewed attacks on ADNOC-linked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them “acts of piracy” and urging Iran to halt strikes and reopen the waterway fully and unconditionally, as traffic reportedly sank to a fraction of pre-war levels and oil prices climbed on tanker incidents. Regional Diplomacy: Iran and Oman signaled progress on a “shipping route map” for Hormuz traffic, while Iran also escalated its war of words with the US after Trump floated declaring the strait US territory “pretty soon.” Kuwait Backs UAE: Kuwait’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the Iranian attack on an ADNOC-affiliated vessel, citing a violation of international law and UN Security Council rules. Abu Dhabi Environment: Abu Dhabi expanded protection for native species and habitats beyond nature reserves through a new Environment Agency resolution covering terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Immigration Rules: The UAE clarified visit-visa categories and set a strict four-month deadline for foreign parents to document a newborn and update residency status, with non-compliance requiring the child to leave. Business & Compliance: The UAE also published exemptions to the 180-day residency stay rule for specific categories of residents.

Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Iran says it has not agreed to restart talks with the US and insists the waterway will be opened and closed only under Tehran’s control, as Trump escalates rhetoric about declaring Hormuz “US territory” and the US warns it can keep a naval blockade and economic pressure indefinitely; UAE Energy Security: the UAE blames Iran for drone attacks on ADNOC-linked tankers transiting Hormuz, calling it a “flagrant violation” of freedom of navigation, while shipping traffic grinds toward a near standstill and oil prices edge up; Regional Diplomacy: Gulf states and the Arab Parliament condemn the attacks and call for unconditional reopening, as intermediaries from Qatar and Pakistan exchange messages with Iran but no negotiations are confirmed; UAE Tech & Investment: MGX co-leads a $5bn Databricks funding round, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s push into AI finance and data infrastructure; UAE-Linked Justice: Ireland charges Daniel Kinahan after his Dubai extradition, with his case set for a nonjury special criminal court; Gulf Labour Protection: India sets up seven one-stop centres across Gulf cities to support distressed women workers and curb exploitation under kafala-linked recruitment practices.