The university cancelled its program in Dubai following the attacks launched against Iran, prompting retribution in the region.

DALLAS — Graduate students and staff from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business are now safely back in Dallas after being stuck in Dubai following the cancellation of the program, a university spokesperson confirmed.

“We appreciate the many team members who helped support the group and coordinate their return,” the spokesperson said.

Students and staff were stuck in Dubai as the U.S. and Israel’s strikes against Iran prompted Dubai to restrict its airspace and issue shelter-in-place warnings.

Hours after the attacks began, SMU posted a statement saying it would formally cancel its program in Dubai after local authorities issued shelter-in-place guidance and restricted its airspace. 

The program appeared to be part of the SMU Cox School of Business MBA program, although online pages for the program appear to have been taken down as of Sunday afternoon. 

“We have been in direct contact with our students and employees in the region, and at this time, they have confirmed they are safe,” the statement, issued on Feb. 28, said. “We are actively coordinating their return to the United States as soon as commercial flight availability and local conditions allow.”