Iran , Jan 15 : Iran temporarily restricted its airspace late Wednesday amid escalating tensions with the United States, disrupting regional air traffic and forcing several airlines to divert or suspend flights.
A notice issued by Iranian aviation authorities said most incoming and outgoing flights were halted starting at 10:15 p.m. UTC. The restriction, initially set to last until 12:30 a.m. UTC, was later extended until 3:30 a.m. on Thursday. Flight-tracking data showed multiple aircraft steering clear of Iranian airspace during the closure.
International flights to and from Tehran were exempted, provided they received prior clearance from Iran’s civil aviation authority.
The move came as geopolitical tensions sharpened following earlier remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned of possible action after Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. Trump later struck a more cautious note, saying he had been told the killings had stopped and that Washington would monitor the situation before deciding on next steps.
At the same time, the United States has withdrawn some personnel from military bases in the Middle East after Iranian warnings of retaliation against American installations in the event of an attack.
Several international carriers, including IndiGo, the Lufthansa Group, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, have altered routes or suspended operations involving Iran, citing security concerns. Both Germany and the United States have advised airlines to avoid Iranian airspace, as the situation in the region remains tense and unpredictable.
