The US and Israel gravely underestimated Iran's response here in the UAE, we are seeing the consequences | Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi

"When I saw that Israel and the US had attacked Iran, I started worrying for family, thinking about potential consequences. But I barely had time to consider that before Donald Trump announced that this was about regime change. At that moment, I knew this was going to be big—worse than last June—and that it would lead into a regional schism."

"I kept on trying to reach family when the internet there was working, which is, at best, for a few minutes a day. Each conversation is short, practical: are you OK? Is your area affected? My main worry is for those in Tehran, the city targeted most so far."

"Relatives describe being asked to continue going to work, as the authorities try to project a sense of business as usual, even though the reality is far from normal. Communication is patchy, news arrives in fragments and ordinary people navigate risks they did not choose, absorbing the consequences of external events."

A researcher based in Abu Dhabi with deep ties to Iran describes the personal impact of recent military escalations involving Israel, the US, and Iran. Following announcements of regime change intentions, the situation escalated beyond previous incidents, triggering attacks across the Gulf region including the UAE. Communication with family in Tehran became severely limited due to internet disruptions, with conversations reduced to brief practical check-ins about safety. Iranian authorities maintained a facade of normalcy despite widespread disruption, while residents absorbed consequences of external geopolitical events. In the UAE, defensive measures including school closures and remote work arrangements were implemented. The author reflects on the uncertainty and fatigue experienced by ordinary people navigating risks they did not choose, while questioning the long-term implications for regional stability and daily life.

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