NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Dubai, UAE, March 4, 2026: Soups Ranjan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of the U.S.-based fintech startup Sardine, said he was stranded in Dubai in early March after widespread flight cancellations triggered by the escalating conflict involving Iran disrupted air travel across the Middle East.
Ranjan, who had traveled to Dubai for business meetings with banks and financial institutions, reported that he was unable to return to the United States after regional airspace closures and security concerns forced airlines to suspend or cancel numerous flights through major Gulf aviation hubs.
In public comments shared online, Ranjan criticized the U.S. government’s response to the situation, saying he felt “demoralized and abandoned” by what he described as a lack of evacuation support for American citizens caught in the travel disruptions.
The flight cancellations came as tensions in the Middle East intensified following military exchanges connected to the growing U.S.–Iran conflict. Airlines across the region halted or rerouted flights as a precaution, while several countries temporarily restricted or closed portions of their airspace.
I am a proud US citizen and founder of a successful startup that employs 94 employees in the US and 180+ employees globally. I was in Dubai on a business trip meeting with financial institutions to help them fight financial fraud in the region, but now I am stranded.
— Soups Ranjan (@soupsranjan) March 3, 2026
I expected…
Dubai, one of the world’s busiest international transit hubs, was among the airports affected by the disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or scrambling to find alternate routes out of the region.
Reports indicate that the aviation disruption affected tens of thousands of travelers across the Middle East as airlines suspended operations and governments issued security advisories warning citizens about travel risks.
Ranjan is the co-founder of Sardine, a fintech company that provides fraud detection and payments compliance technology for financial institutions and digital platforms. The company has grown rapidly in recent years as demand for fraud prevention tools in digital payments has increased.
His situation has drawn attention on social media, where travelers and expatriates in the region have shared similar concerns about limited flight availability and difficulties securing seats on departing flights during the unfolding crisis.
Advisory for American Citizens
In an advisory issued to American citizens, the U.S. Mission in the United Arab Emirates said the safety of U.S. citizens abroad remains its “highest priority,” while urging Americans to consider leaving the country if they can do so safely.
“At this time, we encourage Americans to consider departing the UAE if they believe they can do so safely,” the mission said in a statement, noting that some commercial flights are now departing from international airports in the UAE. Land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia remain open, though congestion has been reported.
The advisory also urged Americans unable to depart to shelter in place at their residences or hotels and to leave only for essential needs such as food, water, and medication.
The U.S. State Department on March 3 ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave the UAE due to the threat of armed conflict. As a result, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are currently closed and unable to provide in-person services until further notice.
U.S. citizens seeking assistance have been asked to submit a Crisis Intake Form through the State Department’s travel portal and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
Authorities also urged Americans to monitor official alerts, maintain communication with family members, keep travel documents accessible, and seek shelter immediately if sirens or emergency alerts are activated.
The U.S. government’s highest priority is the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens abroad, and we will continue to share information you need to make informed decisions about your safety.
— US Mission to UAE (@USAinUAE) March 4, 2026
At this time, we encourage Americans to consider departing the UAE if they believe they… pic.twitter.com/mtiqMi2RxH
Cover photo credit: Soups Ranjan/LinkedIn.
