Finnish citizen Nelli Arjanmaa had to take shelter in the lower part of her home in Bahrain as Iran launched a counterstrike. Although the atmosphere was relatively calm, fear gripped many residents, including Arjanmaa's colleagues who live close to the site of the attacks. Arjanmaa has been working as an early childhood education mentor in Bahrain since August 2025, indicating her long-standing presence in the region.

On the day of the attack, Arjanmaa received an emergency alert on her phone around 11:30 AM, warning of danger and advising residents to stay indoors and remain calm. At that point, she was unaware of the earlier U.S. strike against Iran that had preceded the counterattack. Just 10-15 minutes after receiving the emergency notification, she reported hearing and feeling the first explosion, which occurred approximately ten kilometers from her residence.

The explosion was intense enough to cause panic, signaling the serious and immediate implications of ongoing tensions in the region. Arjanmaa described the situation as alarming, highlighting the fear and uncertainty residents experience amid such military actions. This incident showcases how international conflicts can dramatically affect individuals far from the frontline, underlining the interconnectedness of global diplomacy and local lives.