07:39 AM EDT, 08/31/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Markets in the United Arab Emirates started the new trading week in negative territory as risks of renewed escalation between the US and Iran weighed on sentiment. At the close of Monday trading, the FTSE ADX General Index lost 0.369%, while the DFM General Index declined 0.793%. Oil prices rose as the US struck two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting minelaying forces. Iran retaliated by attacking US bases in Jordan and claiming drone strikes on the Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Meanwhile, the UAE's Ministry of Defence said it identified and intercepted an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle but denied reports of strikes on Al Minhad Air Base. "Oil prices started the week stronger following the first military strikes between the US and Iran in a month. ICE Brent briefly moved back above US$90/bbl in early morning Asia trading," ING said. "This reinforces concerns about a prolonged stalemate between both sides and, as a result, disruptions to energy flows from the Persian Gulf." Back home and on the corporate front, Alpha Dhabi Holding (ADX:ALPHADHABI) shares closed the session 1.17% in the red. The Abu Dhabi-listed investment holding company aims to double its capital commitment in the Mubadala Capital-managed Micad Credit joint venture to $1 billion and increase its ownership to 40% from 20%. United Securities affirmed its hold rating on Emirates Central Cooling Systems (DFM:EMPOWER), d/b/a Empower, after its second-quarter net profit came in line with the investment manager's expectations. The cooling services company's revenue, however, was 16% below the forecast. Empower closed the session 0.63% lower.

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