“My family are ok thank god… I think I’m more anxious than them. Holy s— man, like this is it. It’s now or never [for the Iranian regime to fall]. So much to be nervous about. So much to be hopeful about. So much to cry about. So much to express joy about. It’s a goddamn bipolar experience right now to be Iranian.” — S., Iranian expat and consultant in Dubai
“I basically am concerned about safe havens like Dubai no longer being safe havens because the USA and Israel can act independently of any international rules and with impunity. That the rest of the region will be dragged into this war all because of egos. Will my property price be affected? Will Dubai no longer be a safe place to live? Will my relatives in Iraq be safe considering they are so close to Iran?” — F., Iraqi expat and lawyer in Dubai
“”There’s a sense of relief that Iran’s nuclear, disruptive capabilities and proxies have been seriously degraded — but also deep anxiety about the risk of another full-scale regional war, and a fragile ceasefire unlikely to hold. Starting a war is one thing — ending it is another. You have to wonder if the Middle East is doomed to ‘forever wars,’ or if true conflict prevention and peacebuilding will ever take root.” — Mazen Hayek, media consultant, Dubai
“Neighboring countries have to unite and pressure Israel to stop their relentless attacks on Iran immediately for any chance of peace. The current environment is a little scary for many and will negatively impact tourism, real estate, investors, and overall safety in the Persian Gulf. As a long time resident who lived through all the conflicts since Gulf War I, I am deeply concerned – for Iran and all countries on the Arabian Peninsula.” — K., energy consultancy founder, European expat in Dubai