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 “pre-emptive” strike that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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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.

Dubai International Airport, known as the world’s 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.

Sports stars stranded in Middle East amid war

Among those affected is former world No.1 tennis player Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev had just won the ATP’s 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.

“The situation is unusual, but basically, the only thing is that the airspace is closed, naturally. So, no one knows when we’ll be able to fly out. It’s not clear whether this will last long or not. We’re just waiting to see what happens in the coming hours or days. They keep gradually pushing back the airport reopening time,” he told Bolshe Tennis.

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.

Can you get us home???

— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) February 28, 2026

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.

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.

Meanwhile, former Olympic medalist
PV Sindhu is the biggest Indian name stranded in Dubai 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.

The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour.

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… https://t.co/ZdNtuALk0P

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) March 1, 2026

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.

“Unfortunately 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…when and how we will able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people,” Rahim wrote on his Facebook page.

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is the most high profile Indian name to be stranded in the Middle East as conflict rages in the region in the wake of United States and Israel’s combined strikes on Iran that started Saturday.

Iran soon retaliated with strikes across multiple nations in the Middle East triggering a wider conflict. Several airports across the Gulf region have suspended operations due to the conflict leading to travellers getting stranded in these countries as they wait for situation to improve.

Here we take a look at some of the key stars from the sports world who are currently stranded in the Gulf due to this unfolding war.

PV Sindhu stranded in Dubai

Star Indian shuttler was on her way to the United Kingdom for the All England Championships but now she is stuck at the Dubai Airport. In a post on X, Sindhu described her ordeal saying that there was an explosion close to where she was stranded. If the situation does not improve quickly, it could also endanger Sindhu’s participation as the prestigious All England.

The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour.

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… https://t.co/ZdNtuALk0P

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) March 1, 2026

Mushfiqur Rahim stuck in Jeddah

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Mushfiqur Rahim has been stranded in Jeddah while returning from his Umrah pilgrimage.

“Unfortunately 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…when and how we will able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people,” Rahim wrote on his Facebook page.

Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune among stranded tennis stars

Daniil Medvedev won the men’s singles event at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Him and all his competitors who had not left Dubai are now stranded. Reports suggest that Holger Rune is also stuck in Doha in Qatar where he was staying as part of his structured rehabilitation programme.

Graeme Souness stuck in Abu Dhabi

Liverpool legend and football expert also remains stranded in Abu Dhabi. He was supposed to catch a plane to the United Kingdom but the conflict has left him stuck at the airport in the UAE.

“Well right now, I’m at this airport, I’m hearing some pretty loud bangs going off, and that is anti-missiles taking out missiles being fired at some American base,” the Liverpool legend posted on his Instagram stories.