Air India suspends all flights operating over Middle East after Iranian strikes on Qatar, Iraq
Air India has suspended flights over Middle Eastern airspace after Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq and Qatar. This decision follows escalating regional tensions and the temporary closure of Qatari airspace, a vital transit route. Air India Express has already diverted and cancelled flights, with other airlines also suspending Middle East flights.
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Air India on Monday announced the immediate suspension of all flights operating over Middle Eastern airspace, following Iran's missile strikes targeting Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the Ain al-Assad base in western Iraq, both of which house US forces.The decision comes amid escalating regional tensions and the temporary closure of Qatari airspace, which serves as a crucial transit corridor for Indian aviation connecting Europe, West Asia, and Africa.In a statement issued after the Iranian attacks, Air India Express confirmed that it had already diverted and cancelled operations on impacted routes. 'As a result of the ongoing situation in the Middle East and suspension of Qatar airspace , Air India Express has diverted our Doha-bound flight from Kochi to Muscat and returned our flight bound from Kannur,' the airline spokesperson said.The airline clarified that it currently has 'no other flights bound for Qatar' and that 'Air India Express has no aircraft on the ground in Qatar.'Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed that Iranian missiles had targeted the Al-Udeid base, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and warning of further instability if hostilities continue. The base was evacuated in advance, and no casualties were reported.Kuwait Airways, IndiGo and Pakistan's PIA, have all suspended flights to Middle East and issued advisories.(More to come)
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Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India seen cushioned on oil spike, for now
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Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran Fires at US Bases in Qatar, Iraq
Iran launched missile attacks Monday on US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region. Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base , the largest US military installation in West Asia. Tehran said its missile attack matched the number of bombs dropped by the US on Iranian nuclear sites this weekend, signalling Iran's likely desire to de-escalate. The Iranian military said the attack was 'devastating and powerful' but Qatar said it successfully intercepted the missiles, and the attack caused no injuries while stressing it reserved the right to respond. Iran is also said to have targeted the Ain al-Assad base housing US troops in western Iraq. The attacks came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran. The main US base in Iraq's western neighbour Syria was also on full alert for possible attack by Iran or Iran-aligned militia groups, a Syrian security source said. Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE also closed their airspace following the attack. Iran, which had been warned by Washington not to retaliate or face massive US military action, had informed the US via two diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack, as well as Qatari authorities, a senior regional source told Reuters. Iran's Supreme National Security Council in a statement said: 'This action posed no danger to our friendly and brotherly nation of Qatar and its honourable people. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to preserving and continuing its warm and historic relations with Qatar.' Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X: 'We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.' In the past, Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the US military's Central Command. Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran. Earlier in the day, Israel expanded its war against Iran to include targets associated with the country's theocracy. As plumes of thick smoke rose over Tehran, Israel was attacked with yet another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. The latest strikes unfolded only hours after President Donald Trump openly raised the possibility of a regime change in Iran. 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' he asked on his Truth Social website. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later described Trump as 'simply raising a question.' A key area of focus for global markets is the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for the world's oil and gas. Iran's parliament called for the closure of the strait, according to state-run TV on Sunday. Naval forces in the region warned that ships, especially US-linked ones, could be at heightened risk. Greece, home to more oil-tanker capacity than any other nation, cautioned its vessels owners to think again if they're considering entering the Persian Gulf. Two supertankers, each capable of hauling about 2 million barrels of crude, performed U-turns in the strait. They entered the waterway and abruptly changed course, according to vessel tracking data. After a pause, both headed back through Hormuz. The two vessels' movements come as shipbrokers and others in the oil tanker market report a cautious willingness to enter the stretch of water that's pivotal to the global oil trade.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Stocks Feel the West Asia Heat, But Don't Boil Over
Indian equities retreated Monday after the US risked its own billion-dollar-plus military assets to pound subsurface Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, but the broadest gauges erased initial losses to end about half a percent lower following modest gains in crude oil prices . 'Markets will closely watch for further escalation in West Asia that could affect oil supply and pricing,' said Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra AMC. 'It will be fair to assume the risk aversion will rise with escalation and will have an adverse impact on markets.' The Sensex shed 511.36 points, or 0.6%, at 81,896, while the Nifty declined 140.50 points, or 0.5%, to settle at 24,670. Technology bellwethers Infosys, HCL Technologies and TCS, which together account for the second biggest Nifty weighting, fell 1-3% and led the decliners. The technology pack drifted after the revenue guidance by Accenture, the world's largest services company by market value, fell short of market expectations. Rupee, Hedging Costs Hold Steady9 Both indices, which fell as much as 1% earlier in the day, erased a portion of the losses on expectations that the Iranian response to the US strikes would not be severe. Tehran's threat that it would block the Strait of Hormuz —a critical route for the global oil trade—has raised both the geopolitical risk quotient and investor caution for emerging markets susceptible to fuel price fluctuations. The measured advance in oil prices on Monday reflected market expectations of a restrained reaction by Iran to the US attacks. Brent crude futures rose 0.8% to $77.60 a barrel after opening above $80. Bonds—from US Treasuries to European securities—weakened on concerns higher oil prices could raise inflationary pressures. Gold futures advanced 0.2% at $3,393.40 per ounce in New York. 'Recent events suggest the US and Israel have established airspace dominance and inflicted significant damage on Iran's ability to counter-attack,' said Mihir Vora, CIO, Trust AMC. 'As a result, it may not be easy to disrupt the sea-traffic movement in the Gulf.' Vora said as long as oil stays within the $65-86 range, India can manage the volatility. 'Only if it spikes to extreme levels—like $100-120—can oil create problems,' he said. Elsewhere in Asia, most markets ended weak. Japan fell 0.1%, South Korea declined 0.2%, Indonesia dipped 1.7% and Taiwan dropped 1.4%. China and Hong Kong rose 0.7% each. The pan-Europe index Stoxx 600 closed 0.28% lower. The pan-Europe index Stoxx 600 was down 0.26% when this report was going into publication. At home, the Nifty Midcap 150 index rose 0.4%, while the Nifty Smallcap 250 advanced 0.8%. Of the total 4,240 stocks traded on the BSE, 2,198 declined and 1,862 advanced. The India VIX—the market's fear gauge—rose 2.74% to 14.05, indicating elevated nervousness among traders.
