Chicago woman stuck in Dubai amid US, Israel war with Iran; local Democrats condemn strikes
Dozens protest US involvement downtown Chicago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago woman is among those stuck in Dubai as the U.S. and Israel strike Iran.
What was supposed to be joyous trip , took a scary turn.
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Shekinah Lee was celebrating her boyfriend's birthday with friends in Dubai over the weekend.
She said she got emergency alerts through her phone after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
Lee shared updates on TikTok as she sheltered in place. The attacks are impacting those in neighboring Middle Eastern countries.
"When we were out sightseeing, we saw missiles in the air. And we were afraid; we were overwhelmed. We didn't really know what to do," Lee said. "That is the first time we have ever seen anything like that. Stuff like that doesn't happen in Chicago."
Lee said she and her friends are doing OK. Hotel staff gave her food, water and blankets.
RELATED: Iran live updates
She has since moved to a different hotel in Dubai while she waits for the next available flight to Chicago.
Lee said she extended her stay in Dubai for another week.
Monday, some airlines have resumed flights to and from the UAE. It's unclear when air travel across the Middle East will return to normal.
A Chicago couple has family living in Tehran.
Amir and Farzahneh Tobari say there's no internet access and landline calls are likely monitored so they have to be careful with what they talk about.
Local politicians react
Some leading local Democratic leaders have been expressing concerns about what the attacks on Iran will mean in both the short- and the long-term.
But the president and the consul general of Israel in Chicago is defending the military action as necessary and timely.
"The president has got us into another war in the Middle East: the last thing Americans want. This a violation of the Constitution and probably international law," said Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago.
President Donald Trump on Monday defended Operation Epic Fury as crucial to protecting America and its allies from a threat from Iran, which he called a sinister regime.
"An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat to the Middle East, but also to the American people. Our country itself would be under threat, and it was very nearly under threat," Trump said.
No one from the administration presented evidence of a pending attack, but the consul general of Israel in Chicago says the timing of the joint operation against Iran was critical.
"We have seen indications that Iran is trying to hide their nuclear enrichment program, their entire nuclear and ballistic missiles program. They're trying to put it deep in the ground," Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Elad Strohmayer said. "And we had a window of opportunity to act right now."
But the strikes on Iran are making the possibility of retaliation against Americans at home and abroad a big concern.
"I'm concerned about the Iranians basically trying to escalate the cost and trying to inflict maximum damage on Americans at this point. And so we're in a moment of high danger across the world," said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat representing the northwest suburbs.
"There is no consensus in America for another interminable war in the Middle East," Sen. Dick Durbin said.
"If (the Trump Administration) actually believes that this war is justified, then they need to come to Congress and do their jobs, explaining their case and giving the American people a say," Sen. Tammy Duckworth said.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was asked about possible threats to Chicago.
"I've been in constant communication with our superintendent and intelligence. We're going to remain vigilant and diligent to ensure that the people of our city are safe," Johnson said.
"My concern is not about Iranian acting here. My concern is about crazies here that live here, that want to do something," Strohmayer said.
Congressman Quigley said that a War Powers resolution, to assert Congress' constitutional authority over military actions like this, is set for a vote in the House on Thursday.
Congressman Krishnamoorthi said he's flying back to Washington Monday night for a briefing Tuesday.
Protest held in Chicago
Dozens of protesters rallied Monday night in downtown Chicago, denouncing U.S.-Israeli military operations and saying they don't want a war with Iran.
Some at the rally were against a war in the name of regime change.
And a former Iranian political prisoner and co-founder of a Chicago Iranian activist group called the attack necessary. He said, while he understands the complexities of war, a life under the regime's continuation would not be life at all.
"I heard about the protests in downtown Chicago against war. I'm have a question from them, what other option did we have?" Tirdad Kiamanesh said.
Before moving to Chicago, Kiamanesh spent two months in jail in Iran as a political prisoner.
The co-founder of Chicago4Iran recalled life under the regime, calling it a life without compromise.
"They try to control your life. They try to control your brain; they try to control all of your (livelihood)," Kiamanesh said.
He said this is Iranians' last chance for lasting change.
"People in Iran, they are afraid. They are worried about the war, the consequences of the war. But, at the same time, they understand that this is the only option that they have," Kiamanesh said.
He said he is both hopeful and fearful: hopeful of life beyond the regime but also fearful of what will happen to Iranians if there is not a change in the political system.
ABC News contributed to this report.
