Iran’s retaliation to the U.S.-Israel bombing campaign has focused heavily on its neighbors around the Persian Gulf, threatening their status as destinations for financial giants, billionaires, and wealthy tourists.
The area’s success at attracting capital from around the world over the years and diversifying away from oil could also make it a threat to global markets.
“Moved to Qatar to hide from taxes now I am hiding from Missiles,” a worker in the finance sector, who has been documenting the volleys of Iranian airstrikes from his balcony, quipped on X.
While the U.S. has military bases in the region that have also been targeted, analysts say Iran’s strategy is to inflict pain on America’s Mideast allies, including the United Arab Emirates, hoping they will pressure President Donald Trump to end combat operations.
Until then, however, social media is filling up with images of luxury hot spots literally on fire as Iran continues to lob missiles and drones at them.
