Donald Trump has signalled a sharp escalation in rhetoric toward Iran, warning of potentially historic consequences as a 48-hour deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz nears.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

The statement comes after the US president issued a second ultimatum to Iran to fully reopen the critical shipping corridor, a move closely watched by global energy and logistics markets given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump suggested that recent developments could lead to sweeping political change in Iran, adding: “However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen.”

He further described the moment as potentially “one of the most important” in global history, referencing “47 years of extortion, corruption, and death” and concluding: “God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

The remarks mark a significant intensification in tone from Washington, raising concerns across energy markets, shipping operators and insurers about potential disruptions to crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint that handles a substantial share of global oil trade.

The launch of the world’s first commercial upper 6GHz (U6GHz) network and ecosystem was announced at the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2026, marking a major milestone in the UAE’s digital leadership.

Led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the announcement underscores the UAE’s commitment to next-generation mobile infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of an AI-driven, data-intensive world.

“This launch is not just a technological milestone, it signals the UAE’s dedication to shaping the future of mobile connectivity,” said Eng Saif Bin Ghelaita, representative of the director general of TDRA, during his keynote at the 5G-Advanced & AI Applications for Resilient Economy Forum. The forum emphasised the UAE’s ambition to become a “10 Giga intelligent nation” and its determination to support the U6GHz IMT industry, calling on chipmakers and device manufacturers to participate in the network’s commercialisation efforts.

The initiative marks a significant step forward for the UAE, positioning the country at the forefront of global digital development while showcasing the practical application of spectrum policy in enabling advanced mobile technologies.

Industry collaboration at the summit

The U6GHz commercialisation ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including TDRA, the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, Huawei, du, e&, GSMA, Nokia, HONOR, and Tozed.

Together, they affirmed their commitment to the new ecosystem, reflecting a coordinated effort to accelerate digital development in the UAE and the wider Middle East region.

A parallel session focused on 6GHz policy, technology, and deployment alignment was chaired by TDRA with the policy-dialogue partnership of GSMA. Eng Tareq Al Awadhi, executive director of Spectrum Affairs and chairman of the Arab Spectrum Management Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the spectrum:

“The upper 6GHz band is a key resource for IMT services and future mobile technologies, including 5G-Advanced. It will also form the foundation for 6G. This first dialogue on deployment alignment among various stakeholders is both timely and necessary.”

The session underlined the importance of collaboration between regulators, operators, and technology providers to ensure that U6GHz can be efficiently deployed while maximising its potential for high-speed, low-latency applications.

Empowering digital transformation

U6GHz, spanning 6425–7125MHz and identified by 3GPP as Band n104, provides 700MHz of continuous bandwidth, striking a balance between wide-area coverage and high-capacity performance. Often referred to as the “golden spectrum,” U6GHz is critical as networks evolve beyond traditional downlink-heavy architectures to handle growing uplink demands driven by AI and cloud applications.

The proliferation of AI systems across industries is driving a massive surge in data processing requirements. Networks now face increasing pressure to deliver balanced, high-speed downlink and uplink capacity while maintaining security, reliability, and ultra-low latency. SAMENA Council technology providers estimate that U6GHz can support peak speeds of up to 10Gbps downlink and 1Gbps uplink under 5G-Advanced (5G-A).

This “golden band” is also expected to serve as a critical foundation for the seamless evolution from 5G-A to 6G, with the UAE’s roadmap for 6G already outlined by TDRA. Across sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities, the spectrum will enhance digital infrastructure and empower innovation-driven industries.

From global trials to commercial readiness

The U6GHz industry has recently transitioned from technical trials to large-scale commercial readiness. Infrastructure vendors have showcased compatible products, and ecosystem players are accelerating development to ensure that commercial networks are deployment-ready.

At MWC26, Huawei unveiled a full range of U6GHz solutions, achieving coverage comparable to the C-band and peak speeds of 10Gbps. Global operators including Vodafone, China Mobile, and Brazil’s TIM have completed field tests, laying the groundwork for widespread commercial adoption.

Bocar BA, CEO of the SAMENA Council, emphasised the significance of this milestone:

“With this U6GHz ecosystem launch, the UAE has moved ahead of many markets in transitioning from trials to commercial rollouts. Hosting this milestone during the Leaders’ Summit 2026 allows the industry to foster dialogue, build support for the ecosystem, and signal continuity in collaboration efforts.”

Similarly, Jawad Abbassi, head of MENA at GSMA, remarked:

“The U6GHz ecosystem is now sufficiently ready to support commercial deployment. The band will play a central role in achieving 10Gbps connectivity and serve as an initial spectrum for future 6G networks. The Middle East can leverage U6GHz during the 5G-A phase to gain a first-mover advantage.”

The UAE U6GHz journey

The UAE’s journey to U6GHz commercial launch reflects years of strategic planning and regulatory foresight. Following global consensus at WRC-23, TDRA allocated the U6GHz band for IMT services in 2024, making the UAE one of the first countries to take this pioneering step.

In 2025, e& UAE, in collaboration with Huawei and other strategic partners, completed field trials achieving 10Gbps speeds, setting the stage for Dubai’s “5G-A 10Gbps connection” city initiative. The U6GHz Sail Ceremony officially launched commercial operations, marking the UAE’s formal entry into the U6GHz era and signaling a transformative leap in high-speed connectivity.

Driving the digital future

With U6GHz networks now operational, the UAE is poised to unlock new avenues of digital transformation and cement its role as a regional leader in communications. The deployment will expand high-speed coverage across major cities and economic zones, ensuring residents and enterprises benefit from stable, ultra-fast network services.

The technology also strengthens industry integration, enhancing applications across smart cities, industrial Internet, digital healthcare, and smart tourism. Real-world use cases include remote medical diagnostics, intelligent traffic management, and immersive digital experiences.

International cooperation will be central to the rollout, with the UAE collaborating with global technology partners to promote U6GHz innovation and standardisation. Sharing deployment experiences will further amplify the UAE’s influence within the global digital ecosystem.

By 2028, U6GHz is expected to cover a substantial portion of the population, supporting long-term digital economy growth and preparing the nation for 6G readiness. The launch demonstrates how strategic spectrum allocation, forward-thinking regulation, and collaborative industry initiatives can accelerate next-generation connectivity, positioning the UAE as a model for other markets worldwide.

Etihad Airways has announced a waiver on date change fees for the first amendment on eligible tickets, offering travellers greater flexibility when planning their journeys.

The policy applies to tickets issued on or after March 6 2026 and is valid for travel through March 31, 2027. Under the offer, passengers can make their first date change without incurring the usual fee, although fare differences will still apply. Other charges, including no-show and refund fees, remain unchanged.

The airline stated that the initiative is subject to availability and applies to selected fares booked online, which are offered as special discounts with limited inventory.

Etihad clarified that all fares under the promotion include applicable taxes and fuel surcharges.

However, the final breakdown is displayed during the booking process, and total fare levels may vary depending on fluctuations in tax amounts.

Read more: AirAsia X pushes ahead with Bahrain hub plans, welcomes new chairman

Travellers are required to review individual fare rules for detailed terms and conditions before booking. The airline also noted that certain restrictions may apply, including flight or day limitations, blackout periods, weekend surcharges, peak travel surcharges, and other additional fees.

Airport taxes are subject to change without prior notice and will be confirmed at the time of booking, according to the airline.

“All changes must be made with Etihad Airways via etihad.com or Etihad Airways call centres,” the airline said in its terms and conditions.

Rebooking and fare recalculation rules

Etihad emphasised that in the case of any ticket changes, fares will be recalculated based on the best available fare for the selected route and date at the time of modification.

This means that while the first date change fee is waived, travellers may still need to pay any difference in ticket price if fares have increased. The airline also highlighted that valid visas and travel documents remain the responsibility of passengers.

Etihad Airways confirmed that it is the promoter and solely responsible for fulfilling the offer. The airline added that the promotion is subject to change or withdrawal at any time. In addition, Etihad’s broader terms and conditions, including its conditions of carriage and privacy policy, continue to apply to all bookings made under this offer.

Industry context: Emirates and flydubai issue travel updates

The announcement comes alongside broader travel advisories issued by other UAE carriers, as airlines continue to guide customers through operational changes.

Emirates, in a customer advisory, said it will assist affected passengers by rebooking them on the next available flights where possible. The airline is offering travellers booked between February 28 and April 30, the option to rebook on alternative flights or request refunds.

“We’ll do our best to rebook you on the next available Emirates flight,” the airline said, noting that the policy applies to most disrupted tickets, including journeys with onward connections.

Customers who book flights from April 2, are also eligible for one complimentary date change across all cabins, provided changes are made within ticket validity and fare differences may apply.

Emirates advised passengers to use its online tools, including the Manage Your Booking feature and mobile app, to review changes, select alternative flights, and update contact details. Some bookings may require additional support, particularly where itineraries have been partially cancelled or no confirmed flights remain.

flydubai operating reduced schedule

Meanwhile, flydubai confirmed that it is operating flights across its network with a reduced schedule, while continuing to monitor the situation.

The airline said that flight durations and transit times may be longer than usual due to temporary rerouting of some flight paths.

“The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority,” flydubai said, advising customers to regularly check flight status and operational updates before heading to the airport.

Passengers are also encouraged to ensure their contact details are up to date and to check in online between 48 hours and 75 minutes before departure to save time at the airport.

Etihad’s waiver on date change fees reflects a continued emphasis on flexibility in travel planning, allowing passengers to adjust their schedules without incurring additional change charges for the first modification.

However, the airline has maintained that all other applicable rules, fare conditions, and surcharges remain in effect, underscoring the importance for travellers to review booking details carefully before making changes.

As airlines continue to update policies and operations, passengers are advised to stay informed and make use of available tools and support channels to manage their travel plans effectively.

Authorities in the Emirate of Sharjah confirmed on Tuesday, April 7 that they are responding to an incident involving a ballistic missile strike on a building in the central region.

In a statement posted on X and translated from Arabic, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau said the missile originated from Iran and struck the facility earlier in the day.

The incident resulted in two individuals of Pakistani nationality sustaining moderate injuries. Both were transported to hospital to receive medical treatment, authorities confirmed.

No further details were provided.

Authorities urged the public to refrain from spreading rumours and to rely exclusively on official sources for updates, as response efforts continue.

Gold prices were muted on Tuesday as nervy investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Spot gold edged 0.1 per cent higher to $4,651.34 per ounce by 0702 GMT, while US gold futures for June delivery fell 0.2 per cent to $4,676.50.

“Everyone is in a mode where we’re waiting for whatever the outcome is of this diatribe that the president has been on for the past several days,” said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

Read more-Gold heads for biggest monthly drop in more than 17 years

Iran and Israel traded attacks on Tuesday as Tehran defiantly refused to reopen the strait and accept a ceasefire deal on the eve of Trump’s deadline to agree to his demands or get “taken out.”

Oil extended gains, holding above $110 a barrel.

Elevated oil prices have fuelled global inflation concerns. While gold typically benefits during periods of inflationary pressure, higher interest rates reduce its appeal as a non‑yielding asset.

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee both see inflation as a far bigger problem than employment, underscoring their support for maintaining tighter monetary policy.

Markets widely see no chance of a US rate cut this year, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool.

Investors now await minutes of the Federal Reserve’s March policy meeting on Wednesday, as well as U.S. inflation indicators, including Personal Consumption Expenditures and Consumer Price Index data later this week.

While traders remained cautious ahead of geopolitical and inflation catalysts, some analysts said the bull case for gold remained intact.

“Last year, gold went off on its own and became its own speculative narrative. We’re likely to see that re-emerge this year after whatever sort of risk washes off here, ultimately by the end of the year, we could end up closer to $5,500 and $6,000,” Spivak said.