A group of passengers is stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport terminal 2 as their flights to different places in the Middle East are cancelled due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, in Mumbai on Sunday. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)An intensifying Middle East conflict after the US-Israel strikes on Iran have wiped air traffic from the region and put flight plans of millions into a disarray.With the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed by state media, there are no signs of a let-up in the hostilities, with Iran vowing revenge, and US President Donald Trump warning against any such action. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar remained virtually empty, accordingto Flightradar24 data. (Credit: @flightradar24/X)Maps by flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed that airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar remained virtually empty. The threat of air strikes also kept major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, shut or severely restricted.Current flight status from official X accounts.@emirates – Suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 15:00 UAE time on Monday, 2 March.@qatarairways – Will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A… pic.twitter.com/mkrPIKY3C2— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 1, 2026Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also warned of more attacks in the coming days. In a video post on X, he said: “Our forces are now striking at the heart of Tehran with intensifying force, and this will only grow even stronger in the coming days.”Much of Middle East’s airspace remained closed a day after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd