Petra Ecclestone insists she has no regrets about moving to Dubai after reality stars claimed they feel like they are in the 'safest place in the world' as missiles bombard emirate

Petra Ecclestone has insisted she has no regrets about moving to Dubai just months before Iranian forces began retaliating over US airstrikes in the UAE.

Reality stars and influencers who ditched the UK for a life in the sun, have come out and said they still feel like they are 'in one of the safest places in the world'.

This comes despite the area being the target of missile strikes and suicide drones for the third day running, which the defence team are working to intercept.

Sharing a selfie from her living room, Petra, 37, asked fans to send her questions and revealed whether she wished she hadn't moved from the U.S following the trouble.

One fan asked: 'Do you regret moving to DubaI?', to which she replied: 'No'.

Despite the fearful outcries of residents who said they lived through the 'scariest night of their lives' when the attacks began, many have insisted they still feel safe. 

Vicky Pattison and Luisa Zissman claimed Dubai is still 'one of the safest places in the world' as they vouched for the city's government on social media.

TV personality Vicky, 38, has revealed that she was evacuated to her five-star hotel's underground car park two days ago as a 'precautionary measure', as she shared an update with her 'concerned' fans on social media.

Iran has today rejected an ultimatum by Donald Trump to lay down its weapons as violence continues to explode across the Middle East, meaning thousands of travellers remain trapped in Dubai due to widespread flight cancellations.

Dubai-based airline Emirates announced on Monday it would 'begin operating a limited number of flights commencing this evening'.

During her statement, Vicky, who was on holiday in Dubai when the airstrikes began, insisted that the coverage of events has been 'hyperbolic' and any damage so far has only been caused by 'falling debris'.

Reports confirmed debris from the missiles have so far hit major landmarks including Dubai International Airport, Burj Al Arab Hotel and Jebel Ali Port, as the the air defence team works to intercept the strikes.

Vicky and Lusia both took to their Instagram Stories on Monday morning to share an update on the situation after receiving 'a lot of concerned messages', assuring fans they feel safe despite the developing situation.

Vicky said: 'We're sorry that we haven't been more proactive across social media but honestly, we've been limiting our time spent on here due to a growing amount of misinformation that feels really counterproductive to staying calm.

'I understand this is a really uncertain situation and everyone deals with it in different ways but we're trying to stay hopeful and measured, and this feels like the best way for us to do that.

'I am not an expert on geopolitical matters or international affairs, what I can say is that the narrative that Dubai is being 'bombed' feels like a hyperbolic one. 

'Currently what we've been advised through government channels is that they are intercepting missiles competently and efficiently and what has subsequently caused damage and tragically harm is falling debris.

'We are adhering to all advice from our hotel and the proper official resources and remaining safe and are hoping to come home soon. We were swiftly and safely evacuated to our hotel's underground parking structure two nights ago, but that felt more precautionary than anything else. 

'We are incredibly grateful to our hotel and the UAE government who are making us feel as safe and informed as possible.

'Ultimately, we are in one of the safest countries in the world, in a 5 star hotel and we don't want to add to the rising panic and chaos by stating anything other than rational fact or at the very least what we have been advised is true.

'And we're being incredibly mindful of our privilege in this situation. There are many people in the world right now in far more dangerous and heartbreaking circumstances. 

'Our thoughts and prayers, as yours should be, are with anyone feeling unsettled and unsafe as the world sadly becomes an increasingly fractious and hostile one.'

Taking to her own platform, Luisa shared a new post, saying: 'I'm just putting the children to bed, I've got friends who are sleeping in their basements with their kids. But we have decided to try and carry on as normal.'

Luisa said that they would not be sleeping in the basement like some of her friend's families, but she had prepared an 'emergency' set up just in case. 

She continued: 'So we've done emergency basement, we've got the dog pen, some blankets and that's about it really. I've put some water in the fridge, although I'm sure it's not going to come to that. I know some people are in basements and garages, especially those in high rise apartments. 

'There's a lot of glass here, I would be quite scared if I was in a high rise glass apartment building. But nothing major has happened and everything is largely fine. When you're here it's fine.

'I'm out in the garden, I don't know if you can hear it but there's a fighter plane going above me, which might be you may hear a bang in a minute. They're so good at intercepting the missiles, I don't know what they are. I think they are drones. The drone tries to hit something and they just get it.

'Apparently the UAE has spent 1.6billion last night alone intercepting, surely Iran is going to run out soon? How much money have they got? The UAE has to have more. It's like the safest country in the world.'

The latest reports confirm Israel has launched strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut after the militant group Hezbollah fired missiles across the border early this morning.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 31 people were killed in the strikes, which follow the US and Israel pounding targets across Iran on Sunday as part of an intensifying military campaign which followed the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Loud explosions were heard across the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama as Tehran pressed into a third day of strikes against Gulf neighbours in response to US-Israeli strikes.

Blasts were also heard in Jerusalem, with the IDF saying defence systems were operating to intercept missiles.

Brits trapped in the UAE's most populous city are awaiting evacuation, after 94,000 British citizens vacationing in the hotspot registered their contact details with the foreign office.

A host of celebrities who have moved to Dubai have shared updates after getting caught up in the air attacks.

Branding it the 'scariest, worst nights of our lives', many spoke of how scared they were hearing the constant bangs overhead, while sheltering in their homes as the strikes rage on across the UAE.

Lindsay Lohan, her spouse Bader Shammas and their son Luai, who reside in Dubai, are apparently safe.

The Mean Girls star and businessman, both 39, and their son are OK in the wake of the retaliatory strikes, where she has resided for more than a decade, a source told TMZ Sunday.

Lindsay took to Instagram Stories Sunday referring to the events in question. She wrote, 'Praying for peace. Stay safe everyone. God bless us all.'

Reality star Laura Anderson, who has been splitting her time between Dubai and the UK since 2018, held her daughter Bonnie, two, tight in a new photograph she posted.

Alongside the image, she wrote: 'Good night but a different morning. Hoping to get home soon. Bonnie doesn't like the 'fireworks'. All my love and prayers to EVERYONE around the world suffering.' 

Petra Ecclestone, who moved to the city last year from the U.S, has been keeping her followers in the loop and this morning said that she was 'feeling grateful'.

Petra's husband Sam Palmer also tried to quash fears surrounding the situation.

He told fans the strikes were 'not exactly the Blitz, while lounging by the pool at his huge villa, saying: 'It is mad how quickly humans adapt to the surroundings.

'We are an incredible species.'

He also shared a gallery of photos from the past week, suggesting they were attempting to keep as much normality for their young family. 

While many stars parroted the line that they felt incredibly safe, others have admitted that it is a scary time to be in the UAE.

Love Island star Arabella Chi joined GMB via video link this morning to talk about what it is like to be stranded in Dubai amid the trouble.

Arabella said: 'It's a very very scary time out here. It's obvs apprehensive because we don't know what's coming but I feel like we're in good hands and the government have been unbelievable so far. It's been scary, we're safe which is the main thing.

'On Saturday afternoon, we were actually on the palm and that is when we first heard the bang. We were actually saw everyone on their phones, that was when the news had announced there were interceptions in that video just now. 

'That was right outside our house on Saturday night. That was probably the most scared I have ever been in my life. You don't know how many are coming, it was very very scary.

'I think we literally had just gone past the palm and heard that bang because we saw the aftermath in the sky of the interception, the news a few minutes after, the Fairmont hotel was obviously hit.

'It is scary, when you see them in the sky outside your house, you don't know how far they are, the bangs, it is scary. 

'But so far the government has been unbelievable, I feel like as scary as it is, I'm not going to say we're not scared, when we go to bed at night.

'I've got a daughter at nine months old, it is scary, you want to hold your loved ones close to you, but the government have been amazing and they have intercepted the majority that have come our way so far.'

Detailing the advice they have been given by the government, she said: 'They are staying away from windows, obviously I am near a window right now, we cleared out our storage cupboard, there are no windows there. 

'We are in a house with a lot of windows, obviously at night, you can't get away with it as such when there is a lot of windows in the house we're in. In our storage cupboard, there isn't any windows, so if we did hear a bang, we feel like we needed to escape, that's where we would go. So far we haven't had to do that.'

Kate Ferdinand revealed on Sunday she had slept in the basement of her home with her children as missile strikes hit the city on Saturday night.

The former TOWIE star, 34, and ex Apprentice candidate, 38, are among a whole host of celebrities and influencers living in Dubai who have shared their fears, after being struck in widespread Iranian revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes.

Kate and her husband Rio, 47, moved their life to the UAE in August last year, along with their children, Shae, two, Cree, five, as well as Rio's daughter Tia, 14.

Kate took to Instagram on Sunday to provide an update on their whereabouts and reassured fans they were safe after a 'very scary night'. 

She wrote: 'Thank you for all of your messages and sorry for the silence, I haven't wanted to worry you all I just haven't been able to find the words. We are safe. 

'The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands. 

'We are hoping for a calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary. Although Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn't believe we all got a sleepover in the basement. 

'Thank you for all of your prayers, this whole experience is very eye-opening and I am praying for anyone affected. Lots of love to everyone.' 

Rio's sons Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, did not relocate with the family when they moved to Dubai last year due to their budding football careers back home in the UK.

The influencer previously admitted she was finding it difficult being back after spending a cosy Christmas back in London, as well as missing home comforts. 

She said on her Blended podcast previously: 'I feel like we've opened our eyes to a different world. But I love London, I love the UK. I love so many things about the UK. I do feel happy in Dubai, but I'm just missing a part of me.'

Kate added the move has also helped Rio be more 'present' with his family, after he stepped back from his role as a pundit for TNT Sports last year.

She said: 'I think it's an amazing place to live, I think it's amazing for the children. The children are thriving and happy and living a life of just outside freedom.

'Rio loves it so much. I am enjoying it, but I miss home quite a lot. I get upset. I miss the big boys a lot and I'm just struggling with that.

'I know this decision is right for my younger children and as a family we are settled there, but the boys are following their football careers. So they're doing what they want to do otherwise they'd be with us.

'But it's very hard because we've been through so much as a family and we've always been together and that's a huge adjustment.' 

Meanwhile, ex-footballer Alan Rogers shared a video on Monday morning from Dubai where loud booms can be heard in the distance.

Now, officials are planning to evacuate hundreds of Britons are fires rage on across the Gulf.

It came as Keir Starmer agreed to a US request to use British military bases to hit Iranian missile sites.

The Prime Minister said: 'Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them, and it's my duty to protect British lives. This is in line with international law and we are publishing a summary of our legal advice.'

Sir Keir added: 'We all remember the mistakes of Iraq and we have learned those lessons. We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now. But Iran is pursuing a scorched-earth strategy so we are supporting the collective self-defence of our allies and our people in the region.'

With 94,000 already registering with the Foreign Office, hundreds of thousands are expected to follow suit, and ministers are understood to be drawing up contingency plans to evacuate them over land to Saudi Arabia from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said today there are around 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries targeted by Iran, who have targeted hotels with their attack drones.

Cooper said: 'We are setting up the support systems because as well as the 94,000 people who have been in touch when we set up the 'register your presence' system, there's an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries that have now been targeted by Iran, including countries where now airspace is closed as a result of those attacks.

'So we're saying to people, the most important thing at the moment is to follow the local advice.'

Countries across the Gulf scrambled to close their airspaces as the US and Israel launched a co-ordinated attack on Iranian targets over the weekend, followed by retaliatory drone and missile strikes across the Middle East.

Travel plans were plunged into chaos after airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were hit, killing at least one person and injuring 11.

Nearly 6,000 flights have been cancelled globally and almost 30,000 delayed since the conflict broke out, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24. It marks one of the biggest disruptions to travel since the pandemic.

In the UK, 24 of the 56 flights that were due to depart from Heathrow to the Middle East on Saturday were cancelled.

The Government's advice for most people in the region is to stay put. Evacuation plans will be enacted only if it becomes clear that the airspace will remain closed for a prolonged period.

The Foreign Office urged British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the UAE to register online so they can be kept up to date.

'If you are a British national in those countries, you should shelter in place and register your presence,' it said in a post on X.

The scale of the operation is unprecedented, with the 'register your presence' scheme never having handled so many people.

Yvette Cooper is leading the scheme and has spoken to UK ambassadors from the region to discuss the plans.

All options are said to be on the table, including one that involves stranded Britons travelling by road to Saudi Arabia, from where they could return home.

Officials are in talks with regional airlines, including Emirates, Qatar and Etihad, to help with the evacuation. It could become the biggest mass evacuation in a generation, after several thousand British citizens were evacuated last summer after tit-for-tat missile strikes between Israel and Iran.

This comes as the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Monday that an Iranian drone had crashed into a British base on the Mediterranean island.

Minutes after midnight (10pm UK time), 'a Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the military facilities of the British Bases in Akrotiri, causing minor material damage', he said.

'We are in a region of particular geopolitical instability with many challenges and problems, which is going through an unprecedented crisis.

'Our homeland does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation.'

Meanwhile, Iran has now vowed it will never surrender as it rejected an ultimatum from Donald Trump to lay down its weapons.

Trump told Iran's leaders to give up the fight which has exploded across the Middle East, with missiles raining down on Israel, Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and on American military bases in the region.

A total of 555 people have been killed across Iran since the start of the strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders, the Iranian Red Crescent said Monday.

Israel's rescue services said nine people were killed and 28 wounded in a strike that hit a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 11. Another 11 people were still missing after the strike, police said.

'These intolerable threats will not continue any longer. I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death,' Trump said.

He urged the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow the Islamic regime. 'Be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country,' he said.

'We're undertaking this massive operation not merely to ensure security for our own time and place, but for our children and their children, just as our ancestors have done for us many, many years ago,' the President said.

But Iranian national security official Ali Larijani confirmed the country will not negotiate with the US.

Meanwhile, Israel, which had pledged 'nonstop' strikes, said it was intensifying its assault, with 100 fighter jets simultaneously hitting targets in Tehran, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters.