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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is beginning to indirectly affect residents in the United Arab Emirates, with noticeable increases in petrol prices, gold jewellery rates, and airfares. Economic ripple effects are emerging across various sectors as global markets react to the geopolitical instability in the region.

Oil prices surged over the weekend, registering a nearly 14% increase, which led to higher petrol prices across the UAE. This surge is largely attributed to fears of disrupted oil supply and increased market volatility tied to the regional unrest.

The price of gold, often regarded as a safe-haven investment during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, has also risen sharply. Since the beginning of the conflict, gold prices in Dubai have increased by approximately AED 5 per gram, adding to the financial burden on consumers, particularly those purchasing gold jewellery.

In the aviation sector, an estimated 3,000 flights per day have been either cancelled or rerouted as a result of the tensions and subsequent airspace restrictions in affected regions. These disruptions have led to a noticeable rise in airfare to select destinations, especially those near conflict zones or reliant on flight paths through restricted airspace.

Additionally, consumer goods imported from countries directly involved in the conflict, or from those that have restricted their airspace, may see price spikes if the geopolitical situation persists. Importers and retailers are closely monitoring the developments as continued disruption could lead to supply chain delays and costlier freight logistics.

While the UAE remains politically stable and geographically removed from direct hostilities, the interconnected nature of the global economy means that residents may continue to feel financial pressure in the weeks ahead should the conflict escalate or prolong.

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