Gulf States Crack Down on Videos of Iranian Attacks Posted Online

DUBAI,— Explosions from Iranian missiles and drones over Dubai prompted authorities to issue a warning that danger may come from inside the country. A video shared by the government showed unclear figures moving through the city, while a voice warned that some threats may exist among residents, The New York Times reported.

The video highlighted concerns spreading across Persian Gulf states as the conflict involving Iran continues. Governments in the region are dealing with both security risks and the rapid spread of online information, which they have traditionally controlled through strict laws and oversight.

Since last month, officials in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have detained hundreds of people. State news agencies said the arrests involve individuals accused of sharing rumors or distributing photos and videos linked to Iranian attacks.

In the Emirates and Bahrain, authorities said some suspects were charged with praising the strikes. Kuwait also reported detaining three men over a video officials described as harmful to national security.

Sultan Alamer, a researcher at the Middle East Policy Council, said the actions likely have several reasons. He said authorities want to prevent publicly available images from being used to identify defense systems or targets. He also said officials are working to protect the perception of Gulf cities as stable and prosperous locations.

Dubai has continued to promote itself as a safe destination. A recent campaign included videos of people at beaches describing the city as peaceful, despite reports from authorities that more than 2,000 Iranian attacks had taken place in recent weeks.

Access to certain online accounts has also been limited. Several accounts on X became unavailable inside the Emirates after posting early footage of the strikes.

These included a cryptocurrency influencer who shared a video of a hotel fire and U.S.-based commentator Jackson Hinkle. Messages shown to users indicated the accounts were restricted following legal requests.

Authorities have not explained the specific reason for blocking Hinkle’s account, though he had posted material about the attacks that appeared to lack clear confirmation in some cases.

Abdulla Alhamed, who leads the Emirati national media authority, warned publicly that even a single image could spread fear and that incorrect information could affect the wider public.

At the same time, influencers in Dubai who operate under government licensing rules have posted content supporting national leadership. Some videos described the city as extremely safe, even during the ongoing strikes.

Efforts to control reporting are also taking place outside the Gulf. The United States government has increased pressure on how media organizations cover the conflict after military actions involving U.S. and Israeli forces.

In Israel, reporting on missile impacts is subject to military review. Iran has imposed extensive internet restrictions, limiting information from within the country.

Gulf states already enforce strict rules on speech and online activity. Media outlets operate under close supervision, leaving limited space for independent reporting.

The current arrests stand out because they involve large numbers of people across several countries. Many of those detained are foreign workers or residents who may not have fully understood the laws governing online content.

The crackdown comes as the attacks place pressure on the region’s economy and infrastructure. Gulf countries play a major role in global travel, finance and tourism. Strikes on these areas have raised concerns about their reliability as international hubs.

In the Emirates, several attacks have caused visible damage. Fires have been reported in luxury hotels, and explosions have broken windows in residential buildings. Authorities responded by warning the public not to record or share images from affected locations.

At least 35 people have been detained in the country. Some face accusations of supporting the attacks, while others are charged with spreading false or misleading material.

A significant number were accused of sharing real videos showing the strikes and their effects.

Many detainees come from countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, which supply a large workforce in the Gulf. Pakistani diplomatic missions have issued online warnings advising citizens not to post such content.

Authorities also detained a videographer linked to an international news organization, accusing him of filming in restricted areas without permission.

Officials did not provide further details. With limits placed on social media, international journalists remain among the few sources documenting the situation.

In comments to The New York Times, the Emirati government said false information can lead to serious consequences and may put lives at risk. Officials added that misleading material could create fear and confusion.

Authorities did not respond to inquiries about restricted social media accounts.

Qatar reported the largest number of detentions, stating that more than 300 people were held for recording and sharing unauthorized footage or spreading misleading information. Officials said many were released after agreeing not to repeat the actions.

In Bahrain, authorities said arrests were not made solely for filming or sharing videos. However, some individuals have been detained on suspicion of encouraging violence or sharing sensitive details.

In one case, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for four people accused of promoting Iranian attacks and committing acts described as treason.

Kuwait also reported arrests linked to online content. On March 7, the Interior Ministry said three individuals, including two well known social media figures, were detained after publishing a video that officials said mocked the situation.

The footage showed the men hiding under stairs, wearing helmets and holding improvised objects while warning sirens sounded outside.

(With files from The New York Times)

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