Iran temporarily closed its airspace to most commercial flights this week amid rising tensions with the United States. The restrictions, which required prior approval from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), affected flights between 1:45am and 4:00am local time, and again from 4:44am to 7:00am. Only a few aircraft were seen flying over Iranian territory, with many others rerouted along the country’s borders. The airspace was reopened at approximately 7:00am local time.
The temporary closure coincided with threats of military action from US President Donald Trump following Tehran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. In response to escalating tensions, the US and the UK withdrew personnel from Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, while multiple countries issued travel advisories for citizens in the region.
Flight tracking services noted limited activity in Iranian airspace during the closure. Aviation safety experts warned that the restrictions could indicate further security or military operations, highlighting risks such as missile launches or heightened air defense measures that could endanger civil flights.
While Trump later eased his rhetoric, stating he received assurances that the protest-related killings had stopped, the situation underscores the fragility of regional security. Analysts note that Iran’s airspace is particularly sensitive due to past incidents, including the 2020 shooting down of a Ukraine International Airlines flight shortly after takeoff in Tehran, which killed all 176 passengers and crew on board.
Authorities from both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Iran’s CAO have yet to provide further comments regarding the temporary closure or its implications for future air travel in the region.
