Several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, have imposed strict restrictions on posting videos of Iranian missile and drone attacks that have targeted U.S. military bases and other sites in the region. Hundreds of people have reportedly been arrested since the conflict began, many for sharing footage or images of the explosions. Authorities in some states have accused individuals of glorifying the attacks or spreading content deemed threatening to national security.

Sultan Al-Amer, a fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Policy Council, said the crackdown serves multiple purposes. He noted that Iranian intelligence could use such videos to identify air defense systems and improve strike accuracy, while Gulf governments aim to protect the image of their cities as secure and prosperous. The UAE, in particular, has long promoted itself as a safe destination for investors and tourists.

UAE media chief Abdullah Al-Hamed warned that a single image could spread panic or misinformation. The report also noted that the U.S. government has exerted pressure on its own media since the start of the Iran-related military operations.