Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply on June 23, 2025, after Iran launched a missile attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses U.S. forces. This attack prompted Air India to cancel all flights over the Gulf region, and several other airlines have diverted or returned flights as a precautionary measure.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it targeted the U.S. base with a "devastating and powerful missile." This operation, dubbed "Annunciation of Victory" by Iranian state media, comes as a response to recent U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.
The Qatari government confirmed the attack on Al Udeid Air Base but stated that their air defenses successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles, and there were no reported injuries. A spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter." Qatar has reserved the right to respond directly in accordance with international law.
Al Udeid Air Base is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, serving as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). It houses approximately 10,000 troops and is a critical hub for directing U.S. military operations across a vast region from Egypt to Kazakhstan.
In response to the attack, Air India announced the suspension of all flight operations over the Gulf region until further notice. The airline also halted flights to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe due to airspace closures and security concerns. Flights en route to India from North America are returning to their origin points, while others are being rerouted to avoid the affected airspace. Air India has urged passengers to remain patient and is closely monitoring the situation with guidance from security experts, emphasizing that the safety and security of passengers and crew remain their top priority.
Other airlines have also taken similar precautions, diverting flights or returning them to their origin airports, adding to the widespread disruption of air travel in the region. Kuwait and Bahrain have closed their airspace.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar issued a shelter-in-place advisory for Americans. Diplomatic sources indicate that U.S. and Qatari officials had been preparing for a potential retaliatory attack following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
