The war involving the United States and Israel with Iran remains a major topic on the global news agenda. Its developments are having a direct or indirect impact on a wide range of areas. The situation has also affected the upcoming ICANN 85 conference, which opens this weekend in Mumbai, India. Although Mumbai is located more than 2,000 kilometers from Tehran, many potential conference participants from Western countries use airports in Middle Eastern states – particularly the world’s largest passenger airport in Dubai – as transit hubs.
However, in response to US and Israeli airstrikes, Iran has continued missile and drone attacks on US military targets in the region. These strikes, along with air defense activity, have resulted in temporary closures of airports in Dubai, Bahrain, and several other countries. According to Domain Incite, ICANN, which organizes and funds travel for certain categories of conference participants, has issued a statement confirming that, together with its authorized travel agency, it is working to reroute participants in order to avoid connections at airports affected by military activities.
ICANN also recommends that participants who consider travel to Mumbai unsafe under the current circumstances adjust their plans and attend the conference online. Nevertheless, ICANN 85 is expected to proceed as scheduled, and the Russian delegation plans to participate in person.
