MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf bourses mixed as Iran-Saudi talks offset fears over US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island

Nov 3 (Reuters) - Major Gulf bourses were mixed in early trade on Tuesday, as Iran's statement that talks with Saudi Arabia were continuing was offset by escalation fears in the eight-month conflict after the US struck Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

A US official said on Monday that the strikes, earlier reported by the Wall Street Journal, appeared limited and did not mark a resumption of major combat operations. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index .TASI slipped 0.2% in choppy trade, weighed down by a 0.4% fall in Al Rajhi Bank 1120.SE. Oil giant Saudi Aramco 2222.SE eased 0.2%, even though it reported a steep rise in third-quarter profit.

Aramco said on Tuesday that its net profit rose 34.5% despite attacks targeting the company. The increase came mainly from higher revenue and its exit from a joint venture. The US-Iran war has cut Aramco's output, but higher oil prices have offset the lower volumes.

Alongside the results, the company declared a base dividend of $21.9 billion.

With the conflict disrupting operations, Aramco is also looking at ways to protect its exports. CEO Amin Nasser told Reuters in a statement that the company is exploring additional export routes and overseas capacity, including a possible expansion of its East-West pipeline.

On the other hand, Al Majed for Oud Co 4165.SE soared 8.6%, a day after reporting 50% jump in third-quarter profit.

Adding to regional security concerns, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they had launched drones towards Saudi Arabia's Dammam airport, an early-warning radar in Jizan and a military transport aircraft at Jizan airport.

In Qatar, the index .QSI declined 1%, as most of its constituents were in negative territory, including the Gulf's biggest lender Qatar National Bank QNBK.QA, which was down 1.3%.

Dubai's main share index .DFMGI rose 0.6%, led by a 1.6% gain in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties EMAR.DU.

The Abu Dhabi index .FTFADGI rose 0.3%.

Meanwhile, looking to safeguard its exports, the UAE's energy minister said on Monday the country will protect its energy infrastructure and invest in new export routes, overseas storage capacity and shipping fleets to be better prepared amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.