THOUSANDS of flights across the Middle East have been cancelled after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered sweeping airspace closures.
Dozens more aircraft were diverted mid-flight or forced to turn back as airports across the region grounded services amid escalating tensions.
Thousands of journeys to the Middle East have been diverted or cancelled altogetherCredit: EPA
Dubai International airport suspended operations entirelyCredit: Twitter/@visegrad24
Airports in the UK – such as Heathrow and Gatwick – have also reported delaysCredit: Ian Whittaker
Following , and Iraq closed their airspace.
and the soon followed, along with other Gulf nations.
Dubai International Airport – one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs – suspended arrivals and departures shortly after noon GMT.
On any given day, the airport handles around a quarter of a million passengers.
Dubai’s main carrier, Emirates, said it had temporarily suspended operations “due to multiple regional airspace closures”, while Gulf giant Qatar Airways halted all flights to and from its hub in Doha.
Aviation experts warn the crisis could become the most severe disruption to regional air travel since the
Airlines including , and have cancelled flights, citing safety concerns.
Numerous other carriers paused routes to Middle Eastern destinations and suspended flights over the region altogether.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement: “Passengers travelling to the Area are advised to regularly check with their airline before leaving for the airport.
“We also advise checking the latest from the UK Foreign and Office.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) urged British nationals in affected areas to seek shelter immediately.
“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” the FCDO said.
Passengers stranded in Dubai or Doha and travelling on European airlines are entitled under air passenger rights rules to accommodation and meals until they can be rebooked.
However, given the scale of Saturday’s disruption, some may initially have to cover costs themselves and reclaim expenses later.
Those flying with non-European carriers do not have the same legal protection.
Airlines such as Qatar Airways and Emirates are not legally obliged to provide hotel accommodation.
In the UK, Heathrow Airport said “a small number of flights” had been cancelled or delayed.
The Ayatollah’s compound was badly damaged during US strikesCredit: Airbus
Smoke could be seen rising in Tehran after the blitzCredit: AFP
Iran responded by bombing US bases in the region, including in BahrainCredit: Reuters
Gatwick Airport warned it was “expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights”.
This comes after sites across Iran, including the capital Tehran, were targeted in Saturday’s strikes.
According to Israeli officials, .
The 86-year-old Ayatollah is believed to have been killed despite reportedly fleeing Tehran.
The development comes after Trump vowed to obliterate what he described as the rogue nation’s regime.
The US president had issued Khamenei a stark ultimatum – surrender or face certain death – and repeatedly warned him to strike a deal with over Iran’s nuclear program.
After talks stalled, Trump launched what has been described as an unprecedented joint operation with , codenamed Epic Fury.
Two Israeli networks reported that a photo of Khamenei’s body had been shown to Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Public broadcaster Kan said: “Senior Israeli officials were informed of Khamenei’s elimination. His body was recovered from the rubble of his compound.”
Sources also claim Iran’s defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour may have been killed.
Netanyahu warned that thousands more targets could be struck in the coming days.
In response, Iran has been accused of launching retaliatory attacks on Israel and other nations hosting facilities in the region.
Footage shared online showed people running as air raid sirens sounded in Dubai on Saturday.
At least three large explosions were reportedly heard across the city, with civilian casualties reported.
Israeli officials claim Ali Khamenei has been killedCredit: EPA
Sources also claim Iran’s defence minister Amir Nasirzadeh was wiped outCredit: AFP
Brigadier general Mohammad Pakpour has also reportedly been killedCredit: AFP
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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