NEW DELHI: As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the ripple effects are being felt far beyond the conflict zone. From students stranded in Iran to anxious families at Indian airports, lakhs of people are navigating flight delays, cancellations, and airspace disruptions.
In southern Iran’s Shiraz, a student from Srinagar says while daily life has become uncertain. “It’s safe here for now,” Quershia said over a patchy message that took several attempts and a working VPN to send. “We don’t have international internet access. Sometimes a VPN connects and we’re able to text, that too after attempting to connect to many servers.”
Her world has shrunk to her campus building and the sky above it. “We can hear surveillance drones and air defence activity. We have seen bombing in Shiraz, and the air activity is also increasing day by day,” she says. “ATMs are running out of cash. It’s really difficult to even send a message.”
Following escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, including reported missile and drone exchanges, Iran’s airspace has been closed, and internet restrictions were tightened. Several countries issued advisories, and airlines are adjusting routes to avoid conflict zones.
