Gulf States

Gulf energy logistics are under direct strain: the Saudi pipeline attack on 14 September disrupted oil routes and lifted prices, while Qatar extended LNG force majeure on 28 September as the Hormuz disruption continued. ADNOC responded by buying Iraqi crude, and the UAE pressed ahead with domestic infrastructure, launching the first Etihad Rail Dubai-Abu Dhabi passenger service on 29 September.

• 8GCC Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meet With IMF
• 6OPEC+ Keeps November Oil Output Targets Unchanged
• 6El Al cancels Dubai repatriation flights after UAE withdraws landing permits
• 3Emirates flight EK31 Dubai-London diverts after 7700 emergency alert: What happened onboard
• 3First UAE-built commercial satellite completes historic launch in major step forward in space race

Gulf diplomacy is being reshaped by two shocks: Netanyahu's secret visit to the UAE and meeting with its president on 28 September, and Algeria's severing of diplomatic ties with the UAE on 10 September. Iran and the Gulf states postponed their Strait of Hormuz meeting in Oman on 13 September, even as Iran and the UAE sought to 'turn the page' at the BRICS summit the same day.

• 33Netanyahu and Modi Praise Indian Flydubai Pilot After Emergency
• 4'Your brother Mohammed': Dubai Ruler sends personal email to government staff
• 4Trump vows to hit Iran ‘very hard’ if linked to flydubai attack
• 3Trump Praises Boeing Jet That Survived FlyDubai Attack - newsmax.com
• 2'Highest degree of courage': UAE's deputy PM meets flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar

Security is dominated by the foiled attack on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on 30 September, which Israel says involved a pilot attempting to crash the aircraft and which passengers stopped. Iran attacked US targets in Gulf states on 2 September, Kuwait repelled an air attack on its territory on 3 September, and the GCC condemned Houthi strikes on Riyadh and Khamis Mushait on 26 September.

• 89FlyDubai Flight to Israel Targeted in Cockpit Attack
• 45UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Axe
• 3Unidentified attackers fire on tanker near Oman
• 2Reports: Probe finds flydubai pilot acted alone, planned to crash in Tel Aviv
• 2SKY-HIGH HORROR: UAE-led investigation underway into alleged FlyDubai hijacking attempt

The dominant societal tension is the UAE's management of public health and climate risk: on 26 September it lifted its Ebola-related visa ban on Uganda while keeping restrictions on the DRC and South Sudan, and on 7 September it flagged that its heat-tolerant coral reefs face a new threat as climate change intensifies. Qatar separately moved to put families first beyond the screen on 13 September.

• 3KHDA inspections return: What it means for Dubai school fees
• 3Qatar Hosts 2nd Uveitis Conference
• 2Fake news and deepfakes about flydubai flight spreading online - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• 2World News in Brief: Marshall Islands nuclear legacy, FlyDubai attack condemned, Ukraine update, breast cancer treatment expanded in West Bank
• 1Republic of Ireland's Nations League media call ends in chaos after question by Israeli journalist about flydubai

Who covers Gulf States most

Outlets by number of headlines in September 2026, with their stance toward the country.

• Khaleej Times284 titles

  +1ConstructiveDomestic

  promotional, institutionally deferential

• The National163 titles

  +2PromotionalDomestic

  celebratory and promotional

• Gulf News155 titles

  +1ConstructiveDomestic

  promotional, boosterish, development-focused

• Gulf Times106 titles

  +2PromotionalDomestic

  promotional and celebratory

• OilPrice69 titles

  From United States
• Al Arabiya67 titles

  From Saudi Arabia
• Anadolu Agency63 titles

  From Türkiye
• Jerusalem Post63 titles

  0ReportorialFrom Israel

  factual, event-driven, mixed

Sources from Gulf States

• Al Jazeeraar
• Al Jazeeraen
• Khaleej Timesen
• The Nationalen
• Gulf Newsen
• Gulf Timesen