I Went Fishing. Now I’m Trapped by War in Iran.

A Fishing Trip Turned Unexpected Journey

In March 2026, two Montana anglers, Stephen Simpson and Andrew Bailey, found themselves in an unexpected situation while traveling through Dubai. The pair had just completed a fishing trip in the Seychelles and were on a layover in the United Arab Emirates when military attacks between the U.S., Israel, and Iran caused flight cancellations and chaos.

Simpson described the experience to MathHotels.com, detailing how their adventure took an unexpected turn.

A Dream Trip to the Seychelles

A year earlier, Simpson’s friend Andy asked him where he would go if he could travel anywhere. Without hesitation, Simpson replied with Cosmolito, a remote atoll in the outer islands of the Seychelles. The duo decided to take the plunge and embarked on a two-week fishing trip on February 16.

Andy, 41, and Simpson, 45, spent their time chasing travally—a prized fish that is often caught using a fly rod—across the Indian Ocean. For Andy, this was his first time outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The experience was magical, filled with excitement and new adventures.

A Layover That Went Wrong

On their way home, the pair made a connecting flight in Dubai. They landed around 5 A.M. on February 28, expecting a short layover. They visited a lounge at Zayed International Airport, had some food, and reminisced about their trip. Then, they boarded their plane and taxied out to the runway—nothing seemed unusual at first.

However, after sitting on the runway for four hours, the pilot announced over the intercom that the U.S. and Israel had bombed Iran, causing the airspace above Dubai to close. The plane taxied back to the airport, and the pair got off, thinking it would be helpful to stay in Terminal 3, closer to the airport when flights resumed.

Chaos and Confusion

At midnight, a fire alarm sounded in the building. Simpson and Bailey grabbed their carry-on bags and passports, leaving most of their belongings behind. As they exited the hotel, they saw staff running and people panicking. There were people from all over the world, speaking different languages.

Just outside their hotel door, they smelled burning rubber, smoke, and chemicals. Later, they learned that a drone had been destroyed above Terminal 3, causing an explosion that sent debris flying and injured several people.

The pair joined a group of people, but no one knew where to go. It was a confusing and chaotic scene. Eventually, they followed the group to the customs check-in at the airport. One of the customs agents opened a new line and quickly stamped people’s passports to help them obtain temporary visas for Dubai. He didn’t even ask where they had traveled from.

Evacuation and Uncertainty

Airport and government staff ushered everyone toward buses, and the panic in the area was palpable. However, the pair had no idea where the buses were taking them. They sat on the ground for three hours.

During that time, they called their families to reassure them. Both Simpson and Bailey had the same fear: this might be the last time they spoke to their loved ones. Simpson has two kids, and the thought of not seeing them again was terrifying. Then, missile alerts started going off on their phones.

That confirmed their worst fears: Dubai was under attack.

Eventually, they were brought to a hotel in Dubai’s Jumeirah district. They were supposed to leave on March 3, but their flight was delayed. Now, they hope to leave on March 8. They have a caseworker with the U.S. State Department, who has been supportive, but she can’t provide much information due to safety concerns.

Life Amidst Chaos

Despite the challenges, Simpson and Bailey describe the situation as surreal. Andy often refers to the experience as a “weird dystopia” because they hear bombs and missiles being shot out of the sky, yet there are still Ferraris and Lamborghinis driving by. Nightclubs with house music and people lounging by the pool coexist with the constant threat of danger.

But amidst the chaos, there is also a sense of community support. Simpson is eager to return to his wife and two kids, while Andy is looking forward to reuniting with his golden retriever, Louis.

As told to Madison Dapcevich. This interview was edited for length and clarity.