United Arab Emirates police have released mugshots of 25 people arrested for sharing 'war footage' in the country, according to multiple reports. These individuals face an expedited trial for 'publishing misleading content on digital platforms', as confirmed by major media sources. The UAE government heavily polices social media and has threatened jail for sharing information that 'results in inciting panic among people', a stance that underscores its strict approach to online content during the conflict.
The UAE has warned that material challenging 'public order' or 'the country's reputation' can result in high fines or prison, according to multiple reports. Residents of the United Arab Emirates received SMS messages warning of potential legal prosecution if they share sensitive content images or spread unreliable information online. The UAE Attorney General's office warned against filming, publishing, or transmitting images and videos recording incident sites or damages caused by falling projectiles or debris, as reported by the UAE News Agency. Officials are clamping down on certain videos of the conflict being published online, multiple reports indicate, reflecting a broader effort to control the narrative.
The 25 arrested were divided into three groups: one for publishing authentic video clips of missile interceptions, one for publishing AI-generated or non-UAE footage, and one for publishing material 'glorifying a hostile state', according to multiple sources. The publishing of such content was described by the Attorney-General as a 'grave violation of the law', with 'firm legal action' promised. The UAE said it had been monitoring social media to prevent dissemination of 'fabricated information and artificial content intended to incite public disorder and undermine general stability'. Up to 100 people had been arrested by police in the UAE for filming drone or missile strikes, according to a source, highlighting the scale of the crackdown.
In Dubai, at least 21 people, including a 60-year-old British tourist, have been detained, with the overall total believed to be approaching 100, multiple reports state. The detainees are accused of sharing inaccurate and misleading information, as per major media sources. Three foreign survivors of a drone strike on a building in Dubai were arrested after sending photographs of the explosion to loved ones, according to multiple reports. The individuals were arrested by police after officers requested to see their phones, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai, which adds a layer of concern about enforcement methods.
An Iranian drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport on Monday, sparking a massive fire, with flights diverted and roads closed, multiple reports confirm. Authorities reassured the public that the attack caused 'minimal damage' and no injuries, according to the Fujairah Media Office on X. This is the first time the Dubai government admitted that a drone caused the damage, rather than debris from an interception, as noted by major media sources. Dubai officials are telling people the 'big booms' in the sky are 'the sound of us being safe' as the UAE air defence system takes action, a messaging strategy aimed at maintaining calm.
Qatar has arrested 194 people for spreading misinformation online related to the war, according to its Ministry of Interior. Within days, the number of arrests in Qatar rose to over 300, multiple reports indicate. In Qatar, those arrested filmed and circulated video clips and news related to Iranian attacks, accused of spreading information that can influence public opinion, according to Qatar's interior ministry. The number arrested in Qatar may be the largest in the country's history in such a short period, as suggested by major media sources.
Qatar authorities reiterated the importance of 'refraining from filming or sharing videos related to the ongoing situation', according to multiple reports. Gabriel Morris, a traveler, came close to being arrested in Qatar for discussing reports about interceptor missiles running low, as per major media sources. Those arrested in Qatar risk deportation for guest workers, up to one year in prison, and fines equivalent to about 630,000 kronor, multiple reports state. The Qatari government stated that circulating such material online could lead to confusion and create fear among residents, according to research sources.
In Bahrain, four people were arrested for filming and sharing videos about consequences of the 'abominable Iranian aggression' and military facilities, according to Bahrain's interior ministry. Bahrain's government said the actions misled public opinion and spread fear, showing 'sympathy for the attacker and betrayal of the nation'. In Kuwait, authorities confirmed on Saturday that three people were detained after posting a video where they were seen mocking the situation during the ongoing conflict. However, in Kuwait, more than ten people have been detained accused of spreading rumors and misleading information that can undermine public trust in the country's air defense, according to local media, indicating a discrepancy in reported numbers.
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, no arrests have been reported, but authorities have warned against photographing, publishing, or spreading images and videos about Iranian attacks, multiple reports state. Saudi Arabia also issued similar warnings, as noted by research sources. Other Gulf states have also issued public warnings regarding the sharing of sensitive content, according to research, suggesting a coordinated regional approach.
Dozens of people accused of collaborating with Israel have been apprehended across various regions of Iran, according to local media. In northwestern Iran, 20 people were arrested after being accused of transmitting location data on Iran's military and security assets to Israel, according to the Tasnim news agency. In another region of Iran, 10 individuals were arrested, some alleged to have gathered intelligence on sensitive sites and economic infrastructure, the Tasnim news agency reported. Three people were detained in Lorestan for 'seeking to disturb public opinion (...) and burn mourning symbols', according to the Student News Network.
Israel's assault on Iran includes targeting security checkpoints based on intelligence from informants on the ground, according to a source briefed on Israel's military strategy. Despite warnings from Gulf authorities, images of missiles, drones, and war consequences continue to circulate. Governments in the region are trying to control the spread of information during a period of heightened tensions, as indicated by research sources.
Two SvD journalists were detained in Dubai for 12 hours last week, with no formal accusation known, according to multiple reports. The detainees were arrested by the ministry's service responsible for combating financial crimes and cybercrimes, according to other sources. The arrests were carried out by the Department for Combating Economic and Cyber Crimes, which operates under the ministry’s General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, research sources indicate.
These arrests echo measures taken in other Gulf countries, as Iran targets airports, military bases, energy facilities, and residential areas daily with drones and missiles, according to other sources. The individuals had shared video clips and posted information that authorities believe could mislead the public and stir panic or public opinion, officials stated in research. The detained individuals had been involved in recording and distributing videos showing missile attacks or damage caused by the conflict, authorities noted in research. The arrested individuals had filmed and shared clips and published rumours or misleading claims during the days when Iran launched several attacks across the region, authorities said in research.
The government warned people not to share unverified information or images of attack sites, as this could affect public safety and security, according to research sources. Several Gulf countries are tightening rules on sharing information during the ongoing war, research indicates. Authorities across the region have warned residents that spreading images or unverified reports related to attacks could lead to legal action, as per research sources.
The arrests have not been noticed or criticized by international human rights organizations, sparking criticism on social media, multiple reports state. Videos of drone and missile strikes were regularly shared on social media early in the conflict but have largely disappeared, replaced by posts praising Dubai's government, according to multiple reports. This shift reflects a broader pattern of information control, though the specific charges and legal outcomes for those arrested across the Gulf states remain unclear. The total number of arrests and nationality breakdown is also not fully confirmed, adding to uncertainties about the crackdown's scope.
What evidence or criteria authorities are using to determine if content is 'misleading' or 'incites panic' has not been disclosed, leaving room for interpretation. The current status of detained individuals, including the two SvD journalists in Dubai, is unknown, raising concerns about due process. In Abu Dhabi, conflicting reports exist: Abu Dhabi Police alone arrested 45 people of multiple nationalities for filming various locations and posting clips on social media, while 109 people of various nationalities have been arrested in Abu Dhabi for filming places and events and spreading incorrect information via social media, according to the Abu Dhabi police authority. This discrepancy suggests confusion or conflicting reports about the scale of arrests in Abu Dhabi, which could affect understanding of the crackdown's severity.
In Kuwait, the difference in reported numbers—over ten detained versus three confirmed—indicates a lack of clarity on the extent of arrests, potentially due to varying definitions or timing of reports. Regarding Saudi Arabia, multiple reports explicitly state no arrests have been reported there, while CNN Greece only mentions warnings without confirming arrests; this is not a direct contradiction but highlights a gap in reporting on actual arrests in Saudi Arabia. The broader regional pattern shows a concerted effort to manage information flow during a volatile period, with legal mechanisms being deployed aggressively across multiple jurisdictions.