Areas of the Middle East previously considered safe have this week come under missile fire as Iran reacted angrily to illegal air strikes by the US and Israel, in which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed over the weekend.
Over 20,000 Irish people live across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where US military bases are now being targeted by Iran. According to UAE authorities, three people have been killed in the strikes with a further 68 reported injured.
Over the weekend, the Irish Government warned Irish citizens to shelter in place and register with their local embassies. On Tuesday however Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said her department was compiling lists of the most vulnerable Irish citizens in the region as the US advised its citizens to leave the Middle East.
Irish Examiner correspondent Colin Sheridan served with UNIFIL in Lebanon, Syria and Israel and regularly writes about Middle Eastern issues. He breaks down who’s who in the conflict, why Israel is targeting Iran, what the regional alliances are and how this conflict may unfold.
Broadcaster John Hayes works for the Saudi-owned news network Al Arabiya in Dubai. Speaking on Monday, he explained how an initial spate of panic-buying on Saturday had abated as the country’s missile defence system kept the skies safe, with tourists enjoying a beach day on Monday as their flights were unable to depart.
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