In the first part of 2026, several conferences were cancelled, postponed, or retooled in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar when those countries bore the brunt of attacks linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran

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In October 2026, the United States refrained from military strikes on Iran, relying instead on a naval blockade of Iranian ports and sanctions against Iranian shipping networks

Escalating security threats from Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen have heightened regional conflict risks across the Gulf, prompting U.S. diplomatic missions to issue security alerts

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, 2026

The U.S. State Department is preparing an ordered departure of some personnel and family members from U.S. embassies across the Gulf region, according to three U.S. officials on October 21, 2026

Two U.S. officials stated that the ordered departures from U.S. embassies across the Gulf region could potentially involve the evacuation of all personnel and family members from the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia

On October 21, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert warning of potential further attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi Arabia

Like Malaysia, Iraq is a Muslim-majority country that does not formally recognize the state of Israel

Muslim-majority Malaysia does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel and maintains a diplomatic stance supporting the Palestinian cause

The UK Ministry of Defence stated that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia threaten British national economic and security interests while worsening Yemen's humanitarian crisis

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated that regional instability and Middle East conflict are directly adding to fuel and living costs for British households

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a trilateral meeting in Mumbai on October 20, 2026 with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Financial strain from the U.S. blockade has forced the Iranian regime to withhold salaries, pensions, and benefits across energy, manufacturing, construction, and security sectors.

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper stated that a U.S. naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting at least $25 billion worth of crude oil.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on October 19, 2026 that the war imposed by the United States and Israel, combined with an economic blockade, is the primary source of Middle East insecurity.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on October 19, 2026 to discuss Middle East crisis mediation.

Bank of Canada surveys released on October 19, 2026, showed rising inflation expectations driven by trade tensions, input costs, tariffs, and Middle East conflict pressures on energy.

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem stated on October 17, 2026, that the central bank expects to revise its inflation forecast higher due to persistent Middle East conflict and elevated oil prices.

Approximately half of Canadian firms surveyed by the Bank of Canada plan to pass on cost increases from the Iran war and trade tariffs to customers over the next 12 months.

Global energy costs and oil prices soared following the February 2026 launch of a war on Iran by the United States and Israel, creating inflationary pressures on low-income importing nations.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that high inflation acts as a tax on the poor and that war spillovers threaten energy and food security in low-income nations.