Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization began clearing national airspace restrictions on February 28, 2026, hours after Israel launched preemptive strikes on Tehran targets, with U.S. military support confirmed. Initial closures halted all flights following explosions near key government sites.
Regional Flight Disruptions
Iraq shut its airspace in response, while Israel declared a nationwide emergency with full airspace closure expecting Iranian retaliation. Neighboring Gulf carriers rerouted, causing delays across Europe-Asia routes.
Current Status
By 12:00 UTC, Flightradar24 showed Iranian skies emptying then partial reopening, though most operators avoid Tehran FIR due to EASA/FAA warnings through March 2026. Military overflights continue unconfirmed.
Aviation Risk Context
Pre-strike tensions already prompted FAA bans (to Oct 2027) and EASA “Do Not Fly” advisories over misidentification risks, echoing 2020 PS752 tragedy.
