US, Israel launch attack on Iran, explosions in Israel, Gulf Arab states; IndiGo, Air India suspended flights

February 28, 2026

Moscow: The United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran on Saturday, marking one of the sharpest escalations in regional hostilities this year. Explosions were reported not only in Tehran but also across several Gulf Arab states, as tensions spread beyond Iran’s borders.

Sirens sounded across Israel as defensive systems were activated, and retaliatory actions were reportedly underway from Tehran. Several Gulf Arab states — including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and others hosting American military assets — also saw explosions or defensive alerts as the conflict widened.

Airspace Closures and Global Flight Disruptions

In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, multiple countries closed or restricted their airspace, leading to widespread disruption of civilian aviation across the Middle East and beyond.

Flights between India, Europe, the UK, North America and the Middle East were severely affected, with airlines forced to divert, turn back, or cancel services due to safety concerns and the closure of key flight corridors.

Airlines Suspend and Cancel Services Amid Rising Risks

• Air India confirmed that several of its Middle East flights, including the Delhi-Tel Aviv service, were diverted or suspended due to airspace closures and safety concerns.

• IndiGo said it was closely monitoring developments and advised passengers to check the status of flights, with temporary cancellations and changes likely as the situation evolves.

• Air India also announced that flights to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh and other Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled until further notice as a precautionary step.

Major global carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, Qatar Airways, and others have also suspended or rerouted services in response to the evolving airspace restrictions, reflecting the broad impact on international travel.

Travel Advisory and Safety Priorities

Airlines emphasised that the safety and security of passengers and crew remain their highest priority, with advisories urging travellers to stay updated on flight statuses and prepare for changes to schedules.

The situation remains fluid as military and diplomatic developments continue to unfold and aviation authorities reassess flight operations over affected regions.