Apple has temporarily closed all five of its retail stores in the United Arab Emirates after a sharp escalation in Middle East conflict over the weekend. The move affects three stores in Abu Dhabi and two in Dubai, and the company has also shut its corporate offices in the country as a precaution.
The closures began on Saturday, February 28, at 3 pm, and Apple’s website shows that all five stores will remain closed through at least Tuesday, March 3. A notice at the Dubai Mall location says the store will stay closed “until further notice.” That store sits near the Burj Khalifa, while the other affected locations include Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, and Yas Mall, Al Jimi Mall, and Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi.
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According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, private sector establishments should “take the necessary measures to avoid the presence of workers in open areas, with the exception of vital and essential roles that require physical attendance, and to implement remote working arrangements wherever possible.” The guidance applies from Sunday, March 1, through Tuesday, March 3.
Internally, Apple described the move as a response to a “safety situation,” according to a source familiar with the matter. The closures follow recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have heightened tensions across the region. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
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