FLIGHTS LIMITED AMID SECURITY ALERT
Iran closed its airspace to all flights on Thursday, allowing only international services operating with official permission, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24. The platform said the advisory would remain valid for slightly more than two hours, while authorities assessed the fast-changing security environment. The move highlighted mounting concerns as tensions between Tehran and Washington stayed elevated.
Earlier, a Western military official said that all signals suggested a US attack was imminent. However, the official added that the administration often relies on unpredictability to maintain pressure, describing uncertainty as part of its broader strategy.
Meanwhile, two European officials said American military intervention could occur within the next 24 hours. An Israeli official separately said it appeared President Donald Trump had decided to intervene, although the scope and timing remained unclear.
AIRLINES REROUTE AS RISKS GROW
Consequently, governments and carriers adjusted operations across the region. The United States began withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbouring states it would strike American bases if Washington launched attacks. Missile and drone barrages across multiple conflict zones have also increased risks for civil aviation.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, confirmed some international flights would be affected by the sudden closure. In addition, an Aeroflot flight bound for Tehran returned to Moscow after restrictions took effect, according to Flightradar24 data. Germany issued new guidance advising its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace, shortly after Lufthansa reshaped its Middle East operations.
The United States already bans all commercial overflights of Iran, and no direct services operate between the two countries. Airlines including flydubai and Turkish Airlines have cancelled multiple flights over the past week. Safe Airspace, operated by OPSGROUP, said most carriers are now avoiding Iranian airspace due to heightened security risks. Lufthansa will bypass Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice, while ITA Airways has suspended night flights to Tel Aviv.
