New Delhi: Airspace disruptions over Iran and Iraq triggered by an Israeli military offensive against Iran have begun impacting international flight operations, including those in India. The Delhi International Airport issued a public advisory on Friday urging passengers to check with their airlines as schedules were affected.
“Delhi airport operations are running smoothly. However, due to evolving airspace conditions over Iran, Iraq and the neighbouring region, some flight schedules have been impacted,” said Delhi Airport in a post on X. “Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. We strongly urge all passengers to rely on official sources for accurate and up-to-date information.”
The advisory came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of Operation Rising Lion, a full-scale military campaign aimed at dismantling what he called an “existential threat” from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu declared in a televised address. He said the operation struck multiple high-value Iranian targets and would continue “for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Citing enriched uranium stockpiles and Iran’s alleged progress toward weaponization, Netanyahu warned that Tehran could produce nuclear bombs “within months.” He drew a chilling historical parallel, likening the situation to the lead-up to World War II.
“Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime,” he said.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a special state of emergency across the country, anticipating retaliatory attacks from Iran. “A missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” The Times of Israel quoted him as saying.
Back in Tehran, Iranian state media confirmed that air defense systems were “100 percent operational” as explosions were reported in parts of the capital. No official response from Iran’s top leadership had been issued as of late Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a fresh advisory for Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin living in Iran. In a post on X, the Embassy urged them to “remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s social media accounts and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.”
The rising tensions have led to widespread concern across diplomatic circles and triggered a ripple effect on civil aviation in the region. Several international carriers are likely to reroute or delay flights that usually operate over Iranian or Iraqi airspace.
The global community continues to monitor the situation closely as the risk of further escalation looms large.
