Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has sparked a debate online after posting a message about safety in Europe compared with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a post on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), Durov said that Dubai remains statistically safer despite the ongoing tensions in the region. Durov said in the post that he had to leave Dubai for Europe a week ago. Pavel Durov sarcastically wrote that he was missing the “free fireworks from Iran” in Dubai, adding that he was now “exposing myself to greater risk” in Europe. The Telegram CEO further stated that given Europe’s crime rates, Dubai is statistically safer “even with missiles flying,” and said he “can’t wait to be back.”
What Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov wrote in the post:“Unfortunately, I had to leave Dubai for Europe a week ago — so I’m not only missing the free fireworks from Iran, but also exposing myself to greater risk. Given Europe’s crime rates, Dubai is statistically safer even with missiles flying. Can’t wait to be back”.
Gulf tensions escalate after Iran strikes
Iran’s continued missile and drone strikes across the Gulf have raised fears of a wider conflict in the region. For a second day straight, loud explosions were heard in cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama, according to AFP correspondents on Sunday, March 1. The attacks followed large-scale US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, which reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader and other senior officials. According to an AFP report, the UAE has confirmed that four people were killed and dozens injured in the recent missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. In response, the UAE announced it was closing its embassy in Tehran and recalling its ambassador. In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry described the attacks as hostile and said civilian areas, airports, ports and service facilities were endangered. It called the strikes a serious and irresponsible escalation.
