Despite the shock of Iranian airstrikes and falling debris that killed three expat workers and injured dozens, many British nationals in the United Arab Emirates insist they are not leaving. An estimated 250,000 Britons live in the UAE, drawn by tax-free income and year-round sun, and while some have rushed to the Oman border to fly out, others say the authorities have the situation under control.
One British expat working in financial services described a double shock: hearing the boom of impacts, then being told by colleagues to delete a BBC video he shared, as the UAE had warned that sharing unverified content is an imprisonable offence. The internet briefly went down. 'I can imagine some might find that oppressive,' he said. 'I think some Brits might have been reaching for the map for the first time to see exactly where they were living.'
But Justin Harper, a former Daily Mail journalist now editor of CEO Middle East, said he felt assured after the authorities acted swiftly. He was on a road trip near Iran when the missiles came, but returned to work on Monday. 'I don't want to sound blasé but it's business as usual for me,' he said. 'While my kids are still home-schooled for a couple of days, it does feel we're getting back to normal already.'
Harper dismissed schadenfreude in the UK, where some have mocked 'terrified Dubai influencers' and called for tax exiles to pay their share. 'You can pick and choose who you listen to,' he said. 'There's a lot of envy about the Dubai lifestyle and people are so quick to knock it down, but it's open to anyone. I think in terms of long-term implications we will quickly weather the storm.'
Private schools have closed and many Britons are working from home, but the UAE's rulers have made public shows of confidence, including a stroll through Dubai Mall by the president and crown prince. The Foreign Office says more than 100,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Gulf region.
