Duncan Bannatyne has defended British expatriates and influencers living in Dubai, insisting the city is 'perfectly safe' despite Iranian drone and missile strikes across the Gulf. Responding to criticism online, he said no Dubai residents he knew wanted to leave and argued that British nationals seeking to return home were mainly tourists or business visitors.

The comments come after Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the region following the killing of its supreme leader in joint United States and Israeli strikes. In Dubai, a luxury hotel on Palm Jumeirah was set ablaze after being hit, the Burj Khalifa was evacuated, and residents reported explosions as missiles were intercepted overhead. Thousands of British nationals have registered with the Foreign Office as officials prepare possible evacuations.

Several influencers faced backlash for continuing to post lifestyle content during the attacks. Some defended themselves, saying scheduled posts went live unintentionally, while others shared footage of explosions and described fear as airspace closures stranded travelers. Authorities in Dubai have reportedly warned residents against sharing videos of the strikes, threatening heavy fines or imprisonment.

The United Kingdom Government said its priority is the safety of British nationals in the region and confirmed it is providing consular support. It also stated it does not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.