Iran’s temporary shutdown of its airspace prompted flight diversions and fresh safety warnings on Wednesday as regional tensions disrupted airline operations across the Middle East.
Iran shut its airspace to all flights except authorised international services at 5:15 p.m. ET (2215 GMT), according to a notice posted on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website.
The restriction is scheduled to remain in place until 7:30 p.m. ET, or 0030 GMT, with the FAA noting that the prohibition could be extended.
A U.S. official said Washington was withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East after a senior Iranian official warned neighbouring states that Tehran would strike American bases if the U.S. carried out any action. Missile and drone activity in several conflict zones has increased the risk to civilian aviation.
India’s airline IndiGo said some international flights would be affected by the closure, while tracking data showed an Aeroflot flight bound for Tehran turning back to Moscow.
Earlier in the day, Germany issued new guidance advising its carriers to avoid Iranian airspace, shortly after Lufthansa adjusted its Middle East operations.
The U.S. already prohibits its commercial carriers from overflying Iran and has no direct flights with the country. Airlines such as flydubai and Turkish Airlines have cancelled multiple services to Iran in recent days.
Safe Airspace, operated by OPSGROUP, said most carriers were now avoiding Iranian airspace and warned that the situation could involve military activity, including possible missile launches or heightened air defence, which increases the risk of misidentifying civilian aircraft.
Lufthansa said it would bypass both Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice. The airline will operate only daytime flights to Tel Aviv and Amman through Monday next week to avoid overnight crew stays, adding that some cancellations are likely. ITA Airways, in which the Lufthansa Group holds a major stake, said it would also suspend night flights to Tel Aviv until Tuesday.
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Sirens rang out across multiple areas of Israel on Sunday night after missiles were launched from Iran towards the country, the Israeli military said. Earlier, Tehran's top negotiator in talks with the U.S. threatened to target Israeli and American assets in the region, after Israel struck Beirut.
For about three decades after the Soviet collapse, Armenia anchored its foreign and security policy to Moscow.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with around 600 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births.
In a workshop surrounded by the wreckage of war, workers in Gaza are giving a second life to small leisure boats once used for family outings and swimming trips.
A seven-month-old Palestinian baby has been killed and his parents injured after Israeli forces fired at a vehicle in Hebron, Palestinian health officials say.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
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