Apple Dubai Stores Closed Amid Ongoing Attacks From Iran

Apple stores in the U.A.E. have closed temporarily because of Iranian attacks on the emirate. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

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Apple has temporarily shut its corporate offices and five retail stores across the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) following attacks from Iran across the region over the weekend.

The closures began at 3pm on Saturday Feb. 28, affecting major Apple Store locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain as a precaution.

According to Apple’s websiteall five stores in the country will remain shuttered until Thursday March 5 and the move follows guidance from Emirati authorities advising private-sector companies to limit employee presence in open areas through March 3.

The recommendation have come from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, which urged businesses to reduce on-site staff to essential roles only and adopt remote working arrangements wherever possible.

While the advisory currently only covers a three-day window, officials have said it could be extended depending on how the situation develops.

The affected locations include Apple Al Maryah Island and Apple Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi; Apple Dubai Mall and Apple Mall of the Emirates in Dubai; and Apple Al Jimi Mall in Al Ain. The Dubai Mall branch, located near the Burj Khalifa, is displaying signage that says the store will remain closed “until further notice.”

Internally, the closures have reportedly been attributed to a “safety situation.”

Dubai Weighs Up Mall Operations

The temporary suspension comes amid escalating conflict in the Middle East following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the latter’s retaliation.

Many malls and shops remained open on Sunday, and supermarkets were largely open. Dubai Festival City confirmed that it would continue to operate, while the U.A.E. Government has been encouraging the public to continue their usual activities with caution.

However, local reports on social media suggest that many of those visiting malls have found that many of the stores within malls are closed.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has added that it continues to monitor the situation but encouraged the public to get on with business as usual where possible.

The grocery chains have also reported some instances of stockpiling food, but they have stressed that there are still plenty of supplies available.

Dubai has become a huge draw for international visitors. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)

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Meanwhile, hotels on Palm Jumeirah have remained open for business and catering for guests following a fire at the Fairmont on Saturday night and it remained open after debris from a drone landed outside the main entrance although the beach and pool area remain closed.

Hotels along the world-famous strip, including the Five and Atlantis, also remained open with bars and restaurants open but outside facilities largely closed.

Dubai Malls Drive Economy

The stakes are huge for a part of the world that has been transitioning from an energy economy to a retail and leisure-driven economy over the past two decades.

The overall U.A.E. retail market — including both physical stores and online channels across all emirates — was projected at around $70.5 billion for 2025 according to forecasts from the Dubai Chambers’ retail outlook.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi especially have seen their economies transformed by nearly 30 years of mall development, which have helped the U.A.E. become a major center for vacations and with a rapidly expanding population.