An influential Emirati tycoon’s posts criticising US President Donald Trump over his handling of the war have been mysteriously deleted.
Khalaf Al Habtoor’s tweets venting his frustration at Trump for drawing the Gulf into the conflict against Iran came as the UAE issued a stark warning to the public over posting anything online that might be harmful to ‘public order’ or ‘national unity’.
Mr Al Habtoor’s posts were removed soon after being posted without an explanation, and were replaced by ones praising the ‘beauty’ of the UAE.
Mr Al Habtoor is a prominent billionaire whose developments have influenced Dubai‘s skyline. His posts on social media criticising Trump and the US government were widely followed by Gulf media and discussed online – with many agreeing with his comments.
In the posts, Mr Al Habtoor accused President Trump of placing Gulf states ‘at the heart of a danger they did not choose’, writing: ‘Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran?
‘And on what basis did you make this dangerous decision? Did you calculate the collateral damage before pulling the trigger?
‘And did you consider that the first to suffer from this escalation will be the countries of the region itself!’
He continued, questioning President Trump’s motive for the war: ‘The peoples of this region have the right to ask as well – was this your decision alone? Or did it come as a result of pressures from Netanyahu and his government?
Khalaf Al Habtoor is a billionaire Emirati tycoon, whose tweets criticising US President Donald Trump suddenly disappeared from social media
Mr Al Habtoor criticised President Trump (pictured) for dragging Gulf states into the US-Israel conflict with Iran
‘Thank God, we are strong and capable of defending ourselves, and we have armies and defences that protect our homelands, but the question remains – who gave you permission to turn our region into a battlefield?’
Later posts also criticised Lindsey Graham, the US senator, responding to Mr Graham’s comments that the Gulf states should join America’s campaign, the Telegraph reported.
Mr Al Habtoor wrote: ‘We will not enter this war to serve the interests of others, nor will we sacrifice our sons in a conflict that could have been avoided through diplomacy and political solutions.’
Soon after, the critical posts had been removed – with no explanation given.
The tweets were instead replaced with on hailing the UAE’s ‘beauty’, as the billionaire wrote: ‘How beautiful our country is this morning, with clouds filling the sky and the rains of goodness pouring down upon the land of the Emirates.
‘We ask God to perpetuate security and safety upon our country, to preserve our wise leadership, and to keep the Emirates forever a land of goodness and a source of pride for us all.’
The rulers of the Emirates have made no comments about the wider politics of the conflict beyond condemning Iranian aggression.
They have, however, issued influencers or anyone posting social media content about the conflict with Iran that they could face fines of up to £58,000 or prison, deeming it harmful to the reputation of the state.
The UAE has been caught in direct fire of the conflict and hit with Iranian drones and missiles. Pictured: smoke rising from the 23 Marina tower on March 6, which stands 88-storeys tall and comprises more than 280 units
Despite being caught in the fire and showered with Iranian missiles and drones, the Gulf states have appeared to take a strictly defensive stance towards the Islamic republic in a bid to stop the US-Israeli war from becoming their own.
The wealthy US allies had long been seen as safe havens in a turbulent Middle East, but the current war has spread across the region and seen their critical infrastructure, military bases and energy facilities targeted.
The Gulf capitals have released public statements saying they are not taking part in operations against Iran and that their territory is not being used as a base for attacks.
Analysts believe the oil-rich countries are collectively betting on staying out of the conflict, figuring the cost of direct involvement would be far higher than that of restraint.
But there is pressure on them from the US to join. Senator Lindsey Graham, a foreign policy hawk and ally of Trump, criticised Saudi Arabia this week.
Mr Graham wrote on X: ‘It is my understanding that the Kingdom refuses to use their capable military as a part of an effort to end… the Iranian regime.’
‘Hopefully this changes soon. If not, consequences will follow.’