Daniil Medvedev, Jonny Bairstow, PV Sindhu and other sports stars have been left stranded in the Middle East after airport closures across the region amid the ongoing Iran-Israel war.<\/p>\n
Several international sports personalities have been left stranded in the Middle East after Iran launched missile strikes across the region on Saturday. The attacks came in response to what the United States and Israel described as a \u201cpre-emptive\u201d strike that reportedly killed Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.<\/p>\n
Follow LIVE | Iran Israel War<\/a><\/p>\n Following the assassination, Iran fired missiles targeting Israel and multiple countries in the Middle East, where American bases are located. Explosions were reported in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. In Dubai, major landmarks like the Fairmont The Palm and the Burj Al Arab were hit.<\/p>\n STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD<\/p>\n Dubai International Airport, known as the world\u2019s busiest airport by passenger traffic, was also struck during the attacks, which eventually resulted in the closure of airspace across the region. This led to several big names from across the sporting world getting stuck and not being able to leave.<\/p>\n Sports stars stranded in Middle East amid war<\/p>\n Among those affected is former world No.1 tennis player Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev had just won the ATP\u2019s Dubai Championships and was preparing to travel to the United States for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. However, he got stuck in his hotel room after flights were grounded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe situation is unusual, but basically, the only thing is that the airspace is closed, naturally. So, no one knows when we\u2019ll be able to fly out. It\u2019s not clear whether this will last long or not. We\u2019re just waiting to see what happens in the coming hours or days. They keep gradually pushing back the airport reopening time,\u201d he told Bolshe Tennis.<\/p>\n England cricketer Jonny Bairstow is also trapped in Dubai. Bairstow, who is on holiday with his family, took to social media to ask UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he could help them return home. He later appealed for any information from people in Dubai and urged everyone to stay safe.<\/p>\n Can you get us home???<\/p>\n \u2014 Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) February 28, 2026<\/a>STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD<\/p>\n England Test captain Ben Stokes and former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff are currently in Abu Dhabi with the England Lions squad. Their scheduled match against Pakistan Shaheens was cancelled due to the security situation in the region. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to get the players out with the help of the government.<\/p>\n Former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness also shared updates from Abu Dhabi Airport. In a video posted on Instagram, he described hearing loud explosions while waiting to board his flight back to the UK. He said anti-missile systems were intercepting missiles in the area.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, former Olympic medalist The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour.<\/p>\n A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport. My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/ZdNtuALk0P<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) March 1, 2026<\/a>STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD<\/p>\n Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mushfiqur Rahim is also stuck in the region. He had travelled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage, but got stuck after flights were grounded as a precautionary measure.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately due to the war between USA, ISRAEL AND IRAN all the flight has return to Jeddah and now i am in jeddah airpot including thoushand of passengers\u2026when and how we will able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people,\u201d Rahim wrote on his Facebook page.<\/p>\n Home<\/a>Sports<\/a>From tennis to cricket: Top athletes trapped after Iran strikes Israel and other Middle East nationsEnd of Article
\nPV Sindhu is the biggest Indian name stranded in Dubai<\/a> at the moment. She described her ordeal as a frightening experience after her coach nearly survived a bomb scare while travelling to the All England Open via the UAE.<\/p>\n