Air India Diverts Delhi-Tel Aviv Flight Amid Israel-Iran Strikes; Middle East Operations Suspended
New Delhi, 28th February 2026: Air India has diverted its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight to Mumbai after Israel closed its airspace in response to military strikes on Iran. The airline cited passenger and crew safety as the reason for the diversion.
Flight AI139, scheduled to operate from Delhi to Tel Aviv on Saturday, was rerouted to Mumbai following the airspace closure over Israel. In addition, both Air India and IndiGo have suspended their Middle East operations temporarily in the wake of the escalating conflict. Air India provided contact numbers (+91 1169329333, +91 1169329999) for passengers seeking further information.
In an official statement on Twitter, Air India said, “In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengers. Please check your flight status for updates and contact our 24×7 call center for assistance.”
The strike by Israel targeted multiple locations in Iran, including the capital Tehran, the Ministry of Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, Supreme Leader Khamenei’s office, and the country’s nuclear energy organization. Iranian authorities confirmed that Khamenei was relocated to a secure location following the attacks.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes, reportedly launching around 400 missiles targeting Israel, as well as U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Dubai, the United Arab Emirates’ most populous city, was also reported to be among the targets.
Israel has named its operation “Lion’s Roar,” which media outlets, citing U.S. officials, described as a joint military action by Israel and the United States. The strikes come amid ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States over nuclear weapons. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously threatened action against Iran, stating that the military moves aim to protect U.S. interests and personnel.
The ongoing dispute over Iran’s ballistic missile program remains a major sticking point in the nuclear talks. Iranian officials insist that their missile program is vital for national defense and refuse to compromise, stressing that negotiations should focus solely on the nuclear program.
Countries around the world have issued statements urging restraint. The Indian embassy advised citizens to exercise caution, avoid non-essential travel, and closely monitor developments. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of prioritizing civilian safety and international law, while Switzerland called for restraint from all parties. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned that the strikes risk destabilizing the Middle East, and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed support for U.S. measures to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
