Concerns Over Direct Impact on Energy and Security Infrastructure
Surge in Evacuation Requests for Iran and Iraq
24-Hour Response System... Diversifying Evacuation Routes
Companies in the Gulf region are activating comprehensive crisis response systems to prepare for the possibility that the armed conflict between Israel and Iran could spread to their own countries. Some companies are accelerating measures to minimize business disruption and damage, such as establishing emergency response strategies that include staff evacuation, supply chain inspections, and ensuring business continuity.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on June 19 (local time) that inquiries to crisis management consulting firms have surged recently, particularly in the Gulf region, and that several companies have already begun developing response measures. These measures include withdrawing on-site personnel, collecting information, and implementing logistics rerouting strategies.
Tom Griffin, Middle East and Africa Senior Partner at the crisis management consultancy Control Risks, told the FT in an interview, "There has been a sharp increase in inquiries from companies related to the recent escalation of regional tensions," adding, "There is growing demand for a wide range of responses, from evacuation support in Iraq and Israel to intelligence gathering on local developments."
So far, there have been no reports of Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) suffering direct damage from the war. However, these countries are closely monitoring the situation, as U.S. military bases stationed there could become potential targets. In particular, there is heightened alert among relevant companies and national authorities amid concerns that, if Iran's homeland is attacked, it could retaliate by targeting energy infrastructure such as refineries and gas facilities in the Gulf region.
Phil Miles, Deputy Head of the crisis management firm Kroll, warned that various types of infrastructure across the Middle East could become indirect victims of the current conflict. He said, "Across the Middle East, there are a wide range of potential targets, including energy facilities, public infrastructure, and U.S. military bases," and emphasized, "If the conflict escalates up the so-called escalatory ladder, all of these could become actual targets." He added that the situation should not be viewed as merely a local skirmish, as the entire region could be impacted.
In fact, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated that the United States could join forces with Israel to launch a military strike against Iran, making it impossible to rule out the possibility of the conflict spreading throughout the Gulf region.
After Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, international consulting firms such as Control Risks supported the evacuation of local staff for several global companies in Israel, and also assisted employees in Iran with safe overland relocation. French automaker Renault instructed its 70 staff members based in Tehran to work from home and stated that it is "closely monitoring the situation."
The Dubai and London centers of the international emergency assistance organization International SOS stated that they have been supporting clients in an almost 24-hour response mode since last Friday. Mick Sharpe, Vice President of the crisis management platform Crisis24, said, "Our 150 intelligence analysts deployed in Israel have supported evacuation operations for more than 40 companies so far," adding, "Jordan and Egypt are the primary transit points, and transfer routes through Doha, Qatar, and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, are also being utilized."
Another threat scenario is that Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz, a key geopolitical chokepoint in the Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz is a passageway for about one-third of the world's seaborne oil shipments, and is also used for exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the UAE.
DP World, which operates Jebel Ali Port, the region's largest logistics hub, stated, "Operations are currently proceeding normally," but added, "We are working with government authorities to prepare logistics rerouting and alternative strategies in case of the worst-case scenario of a Strait of Hormuz closure."
Some companies are reportedly developing external messaging strategies in case the armed conflict actually spreads to the Gulf region's financial centers. The FT reported that a PR firm in the Gulf region said, "Clients have been asking what position they should take if a financial center is attacked."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
