I wanted to see the place where a war between the United States and Iran may begin. It turned out people over there couldn’t talk to me on tape because they live in countries without a tradition of free speech and they all feel they are being watched, and I didn’t want to get anybody in trouble. So this is a travelogue, a story about what it’s like to be there.

The psychedelic Persian Gulf surf music is by Hayvanlar Alemi (he’s actually from Turkey). Here’s the link to his website.

Abu Dabi

Workers taking a break in Khasab, Oman.

On the boat heading out to the Strait of Hormuz.

Near Kumzar, Oman, in the Strait of Hormuz.

Fujairah, UAE.

Tuna and Sardines, Muscat, Oman.

Muscat, Oman

The call-in-for-spiritual-advice show. She has a white pen in her hand.

In the dunes near Dubai, UAE.