Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is among several international travellers stranded in the Middle East after escalating military tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States led to widespread disruption of air travel across the Gulf region. The conflict intensified after combined strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets began on Saturday, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran across multiple locations in the region.
Following the exchange of strikes, several countries in the Gulf temporarily suspended airport operations as a precautionary measure, forcing airlines to cancel or delay flights. The sudden shutdown has left hundreds of passengers stranded at major transit hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, as authorities monitor the rapidly changing security situation.
Sindhu, one of India’s most prominent badminton players, was travelling to the United Kingdom to compete in the All England Championships when her journey was interrupted. The shuttler is currently stuck at Dubai International Airport after flights to Europe were halted due to safety concerns linked to the ongoing conflict. In a message shared on social media, Sindhu said she heard a loud explosion near the airport area, adding to the anxiety among passengers waiting for further travel updates.
Officials have not yet confirmed when normal flight operations will resume, as airspace restrictions remain in place across parts of the Middle East. Airlines are reviewing routes on a daily basis, and travellers have been advised to stay in contact with carriers for revised schedules. The uncertainty has raised concerns for several athletes and sports professionals who were travelling for international competitions scheduled this week.
If the situation does not improve soon, Sindhu’s participation in the prestigious All England tournament could be affected. The event is one of the most important fixtures in the badminton calendar, and any delay in travel may leave limited time for preparation. Authorities continue to monitor the conflict closely, while stranded passengers hope for a quick restoration of normal flight services.
