The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been under massive attack since Saturday afternoon. According to official figures, around 560 of around 600 drones were successfully intercepted by the defence system. All larger missiles were also shot down. The situation remains tense, but is largely considered to be under control.
We spoke to Max Waimer on the phone. He runs the company together with his brother Hannes Premier Composite Technologies in Dubai, where high-tech hulls for sports boats are manufactured, among other things.
BOOTE: What is the current security situation like for you?
Max Waimer: So far, four people have died here and around 60 have been injured. One death occurred in a private setting, the other three in the harbour, where fuel storage facilities were hit. There was also damage to private homes and hotel facilities.
How is the Iran war affecting everyday life?
We closed our operations on Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure, but production has been up and running again since Wednesday. Schools remain closed and homeschooling via the internet has been ordered. This is causing difficulties for many families - especially if both parents have to work. Apparently, the launch pads have been relocated away from the city. Ten kilometres away makes no difference to the interceptor systems, but it does to the people on the ground. When an interceptor is launched, it first remains stationary above the launch site for a few seconds, detects its target and then accelerates to supersonic speed. Many people mistake the two loud bangs for impacts - in fact it is "just" the defence.
Is the Dubai International Boat Show at risk?
The Strait of Hormuz is de facto closed. Transport ships travelling for the trade fair can no longer get through. The only remaining option is land transport via Saudi Arabia. From Jeddah, it is 2,200 kilometres across the desert, not an easy route for boat transports. Large ships travelling on their own keel can't make it anyway.
Will the trade fair still take place?
Normally, the boats arrive two to three weeks before the trade fair - this time there is not enough time. Although some yachts are already on site, it remains to be seen how many will actually come to the fair. The Dubai International Boat Show is due to start on 8 April, i.e. in four weeks' time. Whether the Iran war will have calmed down by then cannot be reliably predicted. The organisers will probably still allow the trade fair to take place, even if individual exhibitors cancel at short notice or do not arrive at all. In the meantime, everyday life in Dubai is largely continuing as normal, as if nothing had happened: even if interceptor missiles occasionally go off, the city remains functional.
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What is Iran trying to achieve by attacking the Gulf states?
Iran is not only attacking American bases, but also the infrastructure of the Gulf states. The UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are potential targets. These countries no longer live from oil alone, but also from business, sporting events and tourism. Iran wants to draw these countries into the conflict so that they can exert pressure on Israel and the USA.
Could you leave the country if it gets too hot for you?
All UAE residents are currently not allowed to leave the country. Most flights have been cancelled and the few connections that are still taking off are initially taking tourists out of the country. It is still unclear how long the Iran war will last. Businesses are continuing to operate as far as possible.
Are you experiencing the first supply bottlenecks?
There are no logistical problems yet because of the Iran war, that is too early. Most raw materials are available locally and large warehouses ensure flexibility. Many suppliers also have large warehouses in the region in order to remain independent. Standard materials such as glass fibre and carbon fibre are available. The current projects are well stocked. Whether this will change if the conflict lasts longer remains to be seen.
Morten Strauch
Editor News & Panorama
