‘War Crime’: Iran Claims Delhi-Bound Humanitarian Aid Flight Hit In US Strike

Last Updated:March 30, 2026, 11:27 pm IST

Iran says US strike hit Mahan Air plane in Mashhad that was to collect aid for Delhi, calls it a war crime, US has not confirmed, damage and casualties still unclear

Iran says US strike hit Mahan Air plane in Mashhad that was to collect aid for Delhi, calls it a war crime, US has not confirmed, damage and casualties still unclear. (Image: Wikipedia)

A humanitarian flight reportedly scheduled to travel to New Delhi was hit in a US strike in Iran, according to Iranian sources, in a claim that could further deepen tensions amid the widening West Asia conflict.

According to sources cited by ANI and carried by The Times of Indiathe aircraft belonged to Mahan Air and was allegedly struck at Mashhad Airport. The plane was reportedly supposed to fly to Delhi to collect humanitarian aid, including medicines and relief supplies.

The Iranian Embassy in India termed the alleged strike a war crime.

There is no immediate confirmation from the United States, and the claim has not been independently verified so far. Details about the extent of damage, casualties, or whether the aircraft was preparing for take-off at the time of the strike remain unclear.

The reported incident comes just weeks after India had sent humanitarian assistance to Iran, which was received earlier this month by the Iranian Red Crescent Society as the country continued to grapple with mounting casualties and strain on its healthcare system amid the ongoing war.

If confirmed, the strike would mark a serious escalation, especially because it involves an aircraft linked to a humanitarian mission with India as its destination.

The development also underlines how civilian and relief-linked infrastructure is increasingly being drawn into the fallout of the war, even as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain and the battlefield expands across multiple fronts.

With airspace, shipping lanes, and critical infrastructure already under pressure across the region, the alleged targeting of a Delhi-bound aid-linked aircraft is likely to raise fresh concerns in India as well as among international humanitarian and aviation authorities.

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