The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: Middle East air strikes — What it means for Irish in the region

Irish officials monitor risks as Iran targets US bases in Gulf states where thousands of Irish citizens live

More than 20,000 Irish in Gulf states as Iran missile strikes escalate conflict.

Areas of the Middle East previously considered safe have come under missile fire this week as Iran reacted to illegal air strikes by the US and Israel, in which supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed over the weekend.

More than 20,000 Irish people live across the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where Iran is now targeting US military bases. UAE authorities said three people were killed in the strikes, with a further 68 reported as injured.

Over the weekend, the Irish Government warned citizens to shelter in place and register with their local embassies. On Tuesday, however, foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said her department was compiling lists of the most vulnerable Irish citizens in the region as the US advised its citizens to leave the Middle East.

Irish Examiner correspondent Colin Sheridan, who served with Unfil in Lebanon, Syria and Israel, regularly writes about Middle Eastern issues. He breaks down who’s who in the conflict, why Israel is targeting Iran, the regional alliances at play and how the conflict may unfold.

Broadcaster John Hayes works for the Saudi-owned news network Al Arabiya in Dubai. Speaking on Monday, he said an initial spate of panic-buying on Saturday had eased as the country’s missile defence system kept the skies safe, while tourists spent a beach day in Dubai after flights were grounded.