Iran-US war: 1 lakh Lucknowites stranded in Gulf countries, families distraught

Family members of around 1 lakh people of the city of Nawabs, presently residing in Iran and Gulf countries, are experiencing sleepless nights due to the US-Israel attack on Iran and the bombing of Gulf countries by Tehran.

According to the city’s travel agency operators, there are currently around 1 lakh people from Lucknow in Gulf countries. They are stranded in Gulf countries such as Iran, Oman, Bahrain, Muscat, Riyadh, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.

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People say when family members call from Lucknow to check on their well-being, they hear the sound of bomb blasts in the background. This has only increased their anxiety. Lucknow airport operates 115 flights to Gulf countries every week. The cancellation of these flights has caused distress in the region.

Lucknow also witnessed massive protests against the US-Israel early this week after the death of the Shia religious leader and Supreme Commander of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Shia religious leader Maulana Kalbe Jawad said, “My sister, nephew, and younger son are in Iran.

Many family members live there. My son, Kalbe Ahmed, has been studying in Iran for a long time. The city of Qom, where he lives, has been hit by missile attacks. But thank God, he is completely fine. Our son has been in Iran for almost six years. My nephew has been living there for 16 years.”

Shia Maulana said, “Action should be taken against Israel and the US through the UNO. Those who attacked the school and killed over 150 children. So many people have been killed. Our Indian government pretends to be against terrorism.”

Maulana Jawad said, “Our government has accepted Trump as its master. Trump said we should stop buying oil from Russia and the govt acted so. This means we have moved from slavery under the British to Trump”. He further said, “Our government should say that they were once slaves of the British, but now they belong to the US. Our leader has been martyred in a terrorist attack. On one hand, they were holding discussions for peace, while on the other hand, Khamenei was eliminated in an attack. We will always oppose this.”

Ravish Zaidi, from Lucknow, works as a reporter for an Iranian state-run TV channel in Tehran. His father, Amir Abbas Zaidi, expressed concern about the situation in Iran.

He said, “My son has been in Iran for almost 17 years. He suffered a heart attack 15 days ago and underwent open-heart surgery.” It’s been three days since he was discharged from the hospital and returned home. Now, the attacks have suddenly begun, which has increased our anxiety.

My son has sent me photos of the attack site. An attack occurred 100 meters from where my son is. About 30 bombs were dropped.

“We tried to call him to Lucknow, but he didn’t come. Whenever a war starts, our hearts become very nervous and anxious. Last year, when an Israeli bomb hit an Iranian building, it was seen live. Our son reported and left the scene 15 seconds before the incident. This saved his life,” Amir Abbas said.