Dubai influencers say city safer than US amid Middle East attacks

As conflict continues in the Middle East, a major tourist destination known for its luxurious lifestyle and influential presence has been hit and defenses have intercepted incoming missiles and drones.

Dubai-based influencers spoke with Fox News Digital about daily life in the city and why they’re happy to live there amid ongoing conflict. Former US residents described Dubai as safer than many US cities.

Mike Babayan said, “I always say this: You can carry $2 million in cash with you anywhere in Dubai, absolutely nothing will happen to you. I don’t think I could ever do this in a big city in the USA, you know. This is not possible for me.”

Mike Babayan, known as “nitrotrades” on Instagram and TikTok, is a social media phenomenon of the financial world from Los Angeles who has been living in Dubai since 2020. He was splitting his time between Los Angeles and Dubai and currently lives in Dubai full time.

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Babayan shared that he felt calm even after the attacks. Speaking to Fox News Digital on camera on March 5, Babayan shared that he still feels safe since the interview.

“There’s an idea floating around that what used to be the safest place in the world is no longer safe. But I don’t think anyone feels like that’s really changed.”

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans in the Middle East to leave the region immediately as escalating conflict and widespread airspace closures disrupt travel and evacuation efforts. But, Attacks from IranClosed embassies and closed airspace created challenges for Americans who found themselves trapped with few options.

Iran responded almost immediately to American and Israeli attacks; It rained down missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates, even hitting Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

Babayan said that life continues normally.

“Even if you look out the window, like right now, people are walking on the streets, cars are packed, you know life goes on as usual,” he said.

However, Hofit Golan shared a slightly different perspective. Golan is an Israeli, Canada- and US-raised influencer who works on longevity and biohacking in Dubai. Golan lived in Miami before moving to Dubai in December last year. Golan commented to Fox News Digital about his experience in the region.

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Golan said Dubai is very quiet right now, which reminds him of coronavirus lockdowns due to the lack of tourism compared to normal.

Golan said he was enjoying the “stillness” of Dubai.

“The city is quieter. It’s a little more subdued. But it’s also Ramadan and people are fasting and it’s a holy time, so they’re not out on the streets like normal.”

Babayan noted that “People were calm.”

“Everyone is as calm as possible. I mean, you don’t experience that firsthand when you’re in the city center or any of these major areas of Dubai. So it just feels like life is normal.”

However, the night of the attacks was the night Babayan said he felt a difference in Dubai.

“We heard a tap around midnight, you know, that was the first time I actually heard anything. So seeing it on the news is a whole different story compared to seeing it and hearing it in person.”

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On Saturday night, Judith Wilson heard thousands of Amber alerts going off simultaneously in the JW Marriott lobby in Dubai. (Judith Wilson)

Babayan lives in Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. He left as a precaution but returned later.

“But after that I came back and the next night everything seemed calm. I don’t see any problems.”

Babayan said that people asked him how he was doing and that they fell in love with the videos created by artificial intelligence.

“I even remember the first night after I got home, like, I was sleeping and when I woke up, my phone was blowing up. Like, people were like, ‘Hey, your apartment got stolen,’ and I was sitting in the apartment, like I was looking at my phone, people were sending these AI-generated videos. And I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I said.”

Golan, who also lives in London, described Dubai as the safest place he has ever lived.

After the attacks, Golan said, “Two things happened within 24 to 48 hours.” “First, I have not heard or seen any more missiles. Second, we have begun to hear reports of successful interception of drones and missiles.”

Golan said that the government informed citizens about the situation.

“The government had a system that if there was an incoming threat, you would get a message. You were told to take shelter, to avoid the glass windows, and as soon as the threat was neutralized, you got another message, like a yellow warning, saying it was safe and you could go, you know, leave the shelter.”

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Dubai Media Office, a government agency, confirmed on Saturday that four people were injured when an Iranian missile hit a hotel in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah district. (Credit: via Storyful)

Golan had a flight scheduled for Feb. 28 before the canceled conflict, but said he felt no urgency to leave after it was canceled and strikes occurred.

“I didn’t feel the urge to leave for the first week because, to me, it was safer to be on the ground than in the sky with missiles flying above you,” he said.

As he was heading home he heard that the missiles had been stopped.

“I could see the smoke rising from my balcony,” he recalled. “Soon after, minutes later, we heard that the missiles were captured.“

Golan said he felt the government took care of citizens, including a “very advanced air defense system.”

“If I felt safe before, I feel even more so now, because now I know they have a solid air defense, a strong army, a very fast response time, because no one saw these missiles coming, but they caught them from the beginning.,” said Golan.

In the UAE, the government has rules under which creators can be fined or even jailed for spreading misinformation. “The dissemination of rumors or unverified information in the UAE is a crime punishable by law,” the UAE said.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of the campaign group, reports The Telegraph Detained in Dubai“Almost anything critical of government policy or regional conflict can be interpreted as a crime,” he said.

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Foreign workers look at the towering cloud of black smoke rising after an explosion in the industrial zone of Fujairah on March 3, 2026. Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbors since February 28, following the US-Israeli offensive, have forced the UAE to close its airspace and intimidated travelers who thought they were heading to one of the safest holiday destinations in the region. (Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images)

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According to Gulf NewsPenalties can range up to one year in prison and a fine of at least Dh100,000. The penalty can be more severe, with up to two years in prison and a minimum fine of Dh200,000.

Both Babayan and Golan spoke on this issue.

“I actually really respect these rules. I think they’re reasonable and I think other countries can adopt it, because freedom of expression is not free and you have to face consequences because spreading misinformation, spreading fear or sensitive information in the middle of war can have negative consequences that don’t help anyone,” Golan said.“

“I express my opinion freely,” Babayan said, and he believes all content creators do too.

Additionally, a trend is circulating around the world influencers social media Posting beautiful views of Dubai, with a caption asking: “You live in Dubai, aren’t you afraid?” The creators followed up with “No, because I know who protects us.”

These words appear above images of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, as well as his son, Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Minister of Defense of the United Arab Emirates. This has led some to question whether this is a propaganda campaign to promote the image of security in the region amid conflict.

On the UAE’s effort to prevent panic and the spread of misinformation, Babayan said: “What’s actually happening is they’re just saying don’t spread misinformation.“

Citizens, residents and visitors who create content containing advertising in the UAE are required to have a permit. This includes: Promoting content creators paid or free services or products or content.

According to the report, the UAE has captured 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,672 unmanned aerial vehicles since February 28. Wall StreetJournal.

Eight people, including two army soldiers, were killed in Iranian attacks in the UAE, according to the UAE defense ministry. Published on Reuters.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in an X post that the government had “begun implementation.”[ed] make and facilitate evacuation plans[d] Around 500 returns UAE golden visa holders and citizens stranded abroad.”

The actions are “part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone living in the UAE, whenever and wherever they are,” the post said.

UAE closes its airspace On Tuesday, operations were opened shortly after missile and drone threats from Iran, Reuters reported.

Fox News’ Amalia Roy and Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.