Metro Detroit Communities React to Escalating Middle East Conflict

Arab and Jewish residents share mixed emotions as U.S. and Israel strike Iran

Mar. 2, 2026 at 11:31pm

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The U.S. and Israel's military strikes in the Middle East are hitting close to home for many in Metro Detroit's Arab and Jewish communities. Residents express a range of feelings, from happiness and hope to concern over the escalating conflict with Iran. Community leaders call for an end to the fighting and warn of potential economic impacts, such as rising gas prices.

Why it matters

The conflict in the Middle East has direct implications for Metro Detroit's diverse communities, with residents from both Arab and Jewish backgrounds expressing strong reactions. The situation also raises concerns about the broader economic fallout, particularly around disruptions to global oil supplies that could drive up gas prices.

The details

The U.S. and Israel have carried out military strikes against Iran, prompting a range of reactions from Metro Detroit residents. Nazi Shokoohi, an Iranian-American from Wayne, said the attacks brought "a complicated mix of feelings" - happiness and hope for new leadership in Iran, but also concern. Jason Issacson of the American-Jewish Committee defended the strikes, saying the alternative was "a continuation of a regime that threatens the region." However, Imam M.A. Elahi of the Imams Council of Michigan condemned the attacks, saying innocent Iranians are losing their lives. Elahi called for an immediate ceasefire. Professor Peter Trumbore of Oakland University warned the conflict could significantly impact gas prices due to potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping chokepoint controlled by Iran.

  • The U.S. and Israel carried out military strikes in the Middle East on March 1, 2026.

The players

Nazi Shokoohi

A Wayne resident originally from Iran who expressed a mix of emotions over the U.S. and Israel's strikes on Iran.

Jason Issacson

From the American-Jewish Committee, he defended the strikes as necessary to address a threatening regime in Iran.

Imam M.A. Elahi

The co-chair of the Imams Council of Michigan, he condemned the attacks and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Peter Trumbore

A professor and chair of political science at Oakland University, he warned the conflict could significantly impact gas prices due to potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

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What they’re saying

“It was a very emotional day, not only for me but also for many Iranians around the world. It's a mix of happiness, hope, and concern.”

— Nazi Shokoohi

“War is hell, but what was the alternative? The alternative was a continuation of a regime that threatens the region, that oppressed its people.”

— Jason Issacson

“They are saying that, 'well, we are targeting the military bases', but we saw that so many schools were attacked.”

— Imam M.A. Elahi, Co-chair of the Imams Council of Michigan

“We are also calling for an immediate ceasefire… stop this fire, we don't want anybody to be hurt.”

— Imam M.A. Elahi, Co-chair of the Imams Council of Michigan

“I think we will wake up Monday morning and see that gasoline prices have skyrocketed and that the prices of oil have skyrocketed. If Iran, we've seen this in the past, right? Anytime there's been significant conflict in the Middle East, oil prices spike.”

— Peter Trumbore, Professor and Chair of Political Science, Oakland University

What’s next

The world will now have to wait and see what the larger fallout from the conflict will be, including potential economic impacts such as rising gas prices.

The takeaway

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is hitting close to home for Metro Detroit's diverse Arab and Jewish communities, sparking a range of emotional reactions and raising concerns about broader economic consequences. Community leaders are calling for an end to the fighting, underscoring the need for diplomacy and de-escalation in the region.