Iran Attacks: Indians Stranded in Dubai & Gulf Amidst Rising Tensions

Eighty-four MBA students from Pune’s Indira School of Business Studies are stranded in Dubai after airspace closures disrupted flights across the Middle East, according to reports confirmed Sunday.

The students were in Dubai for a five-day academic study tour when escalating tensions between Iran and Israel led to widespread flight cancellations and airspace restrictions. Forty students had been scheduled to return to Pune on Saturday, February 28, 2026, while the remaining 44 were slated to fly home on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Both groups are now unable to travel, officials said.

“All are safe and have been moved to a hotel,” stated Dr. Janardan Pawar, Dean of the School of Information Technology at Indira University. Indira Group of Institutes Chairperson Tarita Shankar confirmed that all students and accompanying staff are accounted for and that the institution is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to arrange their return.

The disruption follows a period of heightened conflict after Iranian state media confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in an attack attributed to a joint operation by the United States and Israel. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting locations linked to Israel and strategic sites across the region.

Flight operations across the Middle East have been significantly impacted, with Dubai International Airport experiencing temporary closures and widespread cancellations. Several international airlines suspended flights as a precautionary measure, leaving thousands of travelers stranded, including approximately 200 Indian citizens, according to emerging reports. A group of 150 individuals, including students on a study visit, are too reportedly stuck in Dubai. A family of 15 from Bellary, including Karnataka MLA Nar Bharat Reddy, are among those awaiting repatriation.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the state government is in contact with central authorities to facilitate the return of stranded citizens. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has reportedly engaged with officials from the central government and a dedicated helpline has been established by the Karnataka government to assist those affected.

Iran has intensified its retaliatory actions, targeting 27 locations, including U.S. Military bases in Iraq, following the death of Khamenei. Missiles launched by Iran were reportedly intercepted by defense systems over the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Airspace closures were implemented by Iran, Israel, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, causing widespread disruption to air travel.

An Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv reportedly resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to 21 others, with one individual in critical condition. Protests erupted in Tehran following Khamenei’s death, with demonstrators carrying his image. Similar protests were reported in Kashmir, India.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that attacks would continue until peace is achieved in the region. The escalating conflict has led to increased anxiety in the Gulf region, with the potential for further disruption to daily life and economic activity.