State of the World from NPR How one month of war in Iran is felt in countries around the region
Mar 27, 2026
Daniel Estrin, NPR correspondent in Tel Aviv, recounts air-raid sirens and missile impacts on Israeli civilians. Emily Feng, reporting from near the Iran border in Turkey, shares on-the-ground reactions from Iranians coping with bombings and displacement. They discuss life under frequent strikes, cross-border tensions, and the regional ripple effects of one month of war.
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Iranian Students Describe Home Strikes And Division
- Iranian students fled Tehran to Turkey and described shattered windows and 12 strikes near their home that killed 22 civilians.
- One student said the war should never have started but argued the U.S. and Israel should topple Iran’s regime, while another called Iran a colonial-style occupier of its own people.
Israeli Cities Living Under Constant Missile Threat
- Tel Aviv endured daily air-raid sirens and a missile strike that created a crater and shattered windows in an upscale residential area.
- Daniel Estrin reports the missile likely had a ~220-pound warhead and residents describe living under constant fear and uncertainty.
Dubai's Safe Haven Image Under Strain
- Dubai faced over 2,000 Iranian drone and missile attacks, more than any Gulf state, but its air defenses intercepted most threats.
- The attacks dented Dubai's safe-haven image and quieted tourist areas, though some residents still feel protected by leadership.