Food delivery platforms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Careem, Talabat, and Deliveroo, have cautioned customers to expect longer wait times as regional instability tied to the conflict in Iran disrupts normal operations, Gulf News reported.
The notifications appeared across major apps after authorities indicated that recent “regional security developments” had triggered emergency protocols nationwide.
These measures led to precautionary disruption across parts of the transport system, airspace operations and staff movement, with a direct impact on logistics and last-mile delivery services.
Customers using food delivery apps have reported on-screen alerts advising that orders may take longer than usual to arrive.
The companies have framed these changes as short-term to prioritise rider safety.
Careem informed users that it remains operational but may experience “slight delays” while Talabat displayed a notification stating that deliveries could take longer, underscoring that rider safety is being prioritised.
Deliveroo issued warnings about temporary delays tied to safety steps introduced in response to the security backdrop.
In a statement provided to Verdict Food Service, Deliveroo said: “We are closely monitoring developments throughout the day and remain guided by official government advice in each country where we operate.
“Based on ongoing assessments, operations may be temporarily paused or resumed as necessary to ensure the safety of riders, employees, customers and partners.
“We have also implemented precautionary measures, including advising employees to work remotely.
“We remain in regular communication with our stakeholders and will continue to assess the situation carefully, taking further action if needed, always with safety as our first consideration.”
The escalation of tensions has also prompted a surge in app usage, as residents choose to stay indoors and rely more heavily on delivery services for food and basic supplies.
As a result, platforms are continuing to issue delay alerts, as delivery times rely on ongoing security checks and official guidance.
