Maldives activates ministerial task force as Iran war threatens tourism and economic stability

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has established a high‑level ministerial committee to assess and mitigate the potential impact of the escalating conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States on the Maldives.

Government spokesperson Heena Waleed said the committee was formed on Saturday to identify risks to the Maldivian economy and the wellbeing of the public as tensions in the Middle East intensify. She said the President has instructed the committee to prepare for possible disruptions and ensure that the government is ready to respond swiftly.

The committee is chaired by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel. Its members include:

• Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon  

• Finance Minister Moosa Zameer  

• Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed  

• Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen  

• Home Minister Ali Ihusaan  

• Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim  

• Higher Education Minister Dr. Maryam Mariya  

• Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed  

މެދުއިރުމަތީގައި ހިނގަމުންދާ ހަމަނުޖެހުންތަކާއި ގުޅިގެން ދިވެހި ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ކުރިމަތިވެދާނެ ދަތިތަކާއި ކުރިމަތިވާ ކަންކަން ޙައްލުކުރުމަށް ގުޅިގެން ފިޔަވަޅުތައް އެޅުމަށް ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ މިއަދު މެންދުރުފަހު ވަޒީރުންގެ ޚާއްސަ ކޮމިޓީއެއް އުފައްދަވައިފި.
މިކޮމިޓީގައި…

— Heena Waleed (@MvSpokesperson) February 28, 2026

Heena said the ministries represented in the committee will continuously share information with the public regarding developments in the Middle East and the government’s response measures.

Tourism is expected to face the most immediate impact, as several major Middle Eastern airlines have suspended flights to the Maldives following the joint US–Israel strikes on Iran. The government is monitoring the situation closely as flight disruptions and regional instability could affect arrivals during a peak travel period.