Air India’s Delhi-bound aircraft en route to Tel Aviv was required to abandon its onward journey and return to the national capital after Israel commenced what it labelled ‘preventive’ strikes on Iran.
The escalation led to partial shutdowns of airspace in the region, unsettling global flight schedules.
Israel’s Defence Minister also publicly acknowledged that Israeli forces had targeted sites inside Iran. Reports from Tehran described powerful explosions, with local outlets claiming that missiles hit areas near University Street and within the Jomhouri neighbourhood.
Columns of heavy smoke were seen rising close to Pasteur Street, a zone known for housing important administrative offices.
Officials did not immediately clarify the scale of destruction or confirm any casualties.
Carriers Issue Precautionary Advisories
Budget airline IndiGo also released a statement noting that it was carefully tracking developments concerning Iranian airspace. The company underlined that passenger and crew safety remains its overriding priority.
The Israel Defence Forces announced via social media that warning sirens had sounded nationwide. Residents also received alerts on their mobile phones instructing them to stay close to secure shelters amid fears of possible retaliatory missile fire.
In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces.
This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
As part of emergency precautions, Israeli authorities suspended classes nationwide, advised employees to work remotely, and barred large public gatherings.
In the aftermath of the strikes, multiple nations either closed or restricted access to their airspace, compelling airlines to adjust their routes. Flights heading to Tel Aviv and neighbouring destinations were redirected to avoid potentially hazardous zones.
According to flight monitoring platforms, several services altered their paths, with aircraft rerouted over alternative corridors to maintain operational safety.
The incident unfolds against the backdrop of mounting friction between Washington and Tehran over discussions surrounding a possible nuclear accord.
Recent negotiations between US and Iranian representatives have taken place in Geneva, with additional talks expected as tensions persist.
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