On 19 August the UAE suspended all trade, commercial exchange and financial transactions with Iran indefinitely, after Iranian missiles hit UAE territory on 18 August. Iran imports about a third of its goods from the UAE, and Dubai is a key finance hub for it. For Thai SMEs, the risk is shipping and payment disruption in Gulf routes, plus possible new US economic pressure on Iran. Check any shipments, payments or contracts that run through UAE or Iran, and watch for delays and higher freight costs.