Two weeks into attacks between Iran and Israel, Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel states the Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the situation of Maldivians residing in Middle Eastern countries.
Minister Khaleel, via a post on X, said the Foreign Ministry, alongside diplomatic missions, is closely monitoring the situation of Maldivians residing in Middle Eastern countries amid intensifying conflicts in the region.
މެދުއިރުމަތީގެ މަސްރަހު ހޫނުވެފައިވާ މިދަނޑިވަޅުގައި، އެ ސަރަޙައްދުގެ ޤައުމުތަކުގައި ދިރިއުޅޭ ދިވެހިންގެ ހާލަތު މިނިސްޓްރީން އަދި މިޝަންތަކުން މިދަނީ ވަރަށްގާތުން ބަލަމުން. މިވަގުތު މި ސަރަޙައްދުގެ ބައެއް ޤައުމުތަކުގެ ވައިގެ ސަރަހައްދު ބަންދުކޮށްފައިވުމާއެކު، މިޤައުމުތަކުގައި…
— Abdulla Khaleel (@abkhaleel) June 24, 2025
The Minister urged Maldivians residing in Middle Eastern countries and visiting these countries at present to exercise caution and follow the instructions issued by the governments of these countries.
The tit-for-tat attacks between Iran and Israel escalated on Sunday when US forces attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities. In a retaliatory move, Iran launched an attack on a US military base in Qatar late Monday.
Subsequently, several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and United Arab Emirates which are crucial to the Maldives in terms of tourism and trade, closed their airspace. As such, concerns loom over the possible impact on the Maldivian tourism industry, the country’s economic backbone.
Moreover, there has also been a hike in the prices of oil on the international market. This could possibly boost inflation and become a financial burden that Maldives would have to bear as it grapples with a dire economic situation.
Although US President Donald Trump announced Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire via a post on his Truth Social platform, Iran has denied that there has been a formal agreement on a ceasefire with Israel.
However, Iran has signaled it will stop strikes if Israeli attacks end.