Israel-Iran conflict disrupts Middle East flights
Airlines have cancelled or rerouted flights to and from the Middle East, as the conflict between Israel and Iran raged.Qatar's Doha airport, a critical hub in the region, halted operations on Monday, after Iran fired missiles at a US military base in the country, in what it said was retaliation for American strikes against its nuclear sites over the weekend.At Dubai airport, the world's busiest air terminal, flights were temporarily paused, with officials warning passengers to expect further delays and cancellationsUS President Donald Trump has announced a "complete and total" ceasefire between Israel and Iran on social media but both countries have yet to confirm it.
More than a dozen airlines have cancelled flights to parts of the region after tension mounted in recent days.Air India said it was stopping all operations to the Middle East and flights to North America's east coast and Europe.Japan Airlines announced the cancellation of flights from Tokyo to Doha. Rob Liddle, a member of BBC staff stranded in Doha en route to Dhaka in Bangladesh, said late on Monday that hundreds of grounded passengers were trying to get food or bedding down in the airport lounge while they waited to hear when flights would resume.
Aviation consultant Tim Atkinson said situations like this tended to upend the rules, with a knock-on impact on ordinary passengers and crew who would now be stuck in Doha temporarily."The closure of Qatar airspace will cause enormous disruption, not just to flights," he said."There is a fundamental interconnected nature of air travel. So when disruption begins, it spreads almost like wildfire."In recent years the Gulf region has become one of the world's most important flight hubs.The airports in Dubai and Doha commonly see nearly 400,000 travellers pass through on a daily basis.Another 80,000 passengers travel through the UAE's other air hub, Abu Dhabi, every day.For many, these airports are a stopover point for longhaul flights between Europe and Asia or Australia. These airspace closures and cancellations are likely to cause significant immediate disruption, with a knock-on impact across and beyond the region, according to aviation expert John Strickland."Delays to flights because of following longer routings means more cost to the airlines because they are burning more fuel." Mr Strickland said."It can lead to an airline saying an aircraft is not available when it should be, and in particular crew, because crew are limited by legal rest requirements."Russian and Ukrainian airspace has already been closed to most airlines due to the conflict there, diverting even more flights to the Middle East, where they were now being "squeezed" into even smaller spaces, he added.The conflict in the Middle East has already led to the closure of huge swathes of crucial airspace. Since Israel launched its offensive, commercial flights have avoided flying over Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.Roughly 1,400 flights pass through this key corridor between Asia and Europe - but they now either have to fly north over Turkey or south over Saudi Arabia.
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The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Status of ceasefire unclear after Iranian missile barrage strikes Israel after a first deadline
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire' soon after Iran launched a retaliatory limited missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar. But the status of a possible ceasefire remained tentative on Tuesday as an Iranian missile barrage struck Israel after a first deadline for the proposal. The Iranian barrages sent Israelis hurrying into bomb shelters as the sun rose, killing at least four people and injuring eight others, Israel's Magen David Adom rescue services said. Israel has yet to acknowledge Trump's proposal, which gives Israel more time to potentially strike back though Iran on its state television announced an overall ceasefire had begun at 7:30 a.m. local time. The barrage damaged at least three densely packed residential buildings in the city of Beersheba, police said. First responders said they retrieved four bodies from one building and were searching for more. Outside, the shells of burned out cars littered the streets. Broken glass and rubble covered the area. Hundreds of emergency workers gathered to search for anyone else trapped in the buildings. Police said some people were injured even while inside their apartments' reinforced safe rooms, which are meant to withstand rockets and shrapnel but not direct hits from ballistic missiles. The direct hit in the largest city in southern Israel came just days after the city's hospital sustained significant damage in a missile strike. The Israeli military said people could leave bomb shelters but cautioned the public to stay close to shelter for the coming hours. Trump says ceasefire is in effect Trump's announcement that Israel and Iran had agreed to a 'complete and total ceasefire' came soon after Iran launched a limited missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites. The U.S. was warned by Iran in advance, and there were no casualties. Trump's announcement on Truth Social said the ceasefire beginning about midnight Washington time would bring an 'Official END' to the war. Israel doesn't confirm ceasefire but appears to pause strikes Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 a.m. in Tehran. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Iranian cities until shortly before that time. Under the Trump plan, Israel was to halt its attacks on Iran by 1:30 p.m. Tehran time. There's been no report of Israel launching attacks against Iran since early Tuesday morning. Israel did not immediately acknowledge any ceasefire, but there were no reports of Israeli strikes in Iran after 4 a.m. in Tehran. Heavy Israeli strikes continued in Iranian cities until shortly before that time. The Israeli military declined to comment on Trump's ceasefire statement and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. 'As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. 'However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards.' His message was posted at 4:16 a.m. Tehran time. Araghchi added: 'The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.' Writing over an hour after the first phase of the tentative ceasefire, which called for Iran to halt its attacks, Trump added: 'THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!' Trump describes conflict as '12 Day War' Trump gave the conflict between Israel and Iran a name: the '12 Day War.' That recalls the 1967 Mideast war, known by some as the 'Six Day War,' in which Israel fought a group of Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Trump's reference carries emotional weight for the Arab world, particularly Palestinians. In the 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Though Israel later gave the Sinai back to Egypt, it still holds the other territories. Trump communicated directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the ceasefire, according to a senior White House official who insisted on anonymity to discuss the Monday talks. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff communicated with the Iranians through direct and indirect channels. The White House has maintained that the Saturday bombing helped get the Israelis to agree to the ceasefire and that the Qatari government helped to broker the deal. It's unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader, played in the talks. He said earlier on social media that he would not surrender. Attacks from Iran forces temporary closure of Israel's skies Israel's Airports Authority said Iran's barrage forced them to close the country's airspace to emergency flights for several hours. Some flights were forced to circle over the Mediterranean Sea, according to Israeli media. Israel's airports have been closed since the war with Iran began, but a handful of emergency flights started arriving and departing over the past few days. By early Tuesday, Qatar Airways resumed its flights after Qatar shut down its airspace over the Iranian attack on Al Udeid Air Base. Flight-tracking data showed commercial aircraft again flying in Qatari airspace, signaling Doha believed the threat on the energy-rich nation had passed. Conflict has killed hundreds In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 974 people and wounded 3,458 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest such as the protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, said of those killed, it identified 387 civilians and 268 security force personnel. The U.S. has evacuated some 250 American citizens and their immediate family members from Israel by government, military and charter flights that began over the weekend, a State Department official said. There are roughly 700,000 American citizens, most of them dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, believed to be in Israel. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Abby Sewell in Beirut, Elise Morton in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Ella Joyner in Brussels, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna contributed to this report.
Sky News
30 minutes ago
- Sky News
Iranian state media says ceasefire with Israel has begun, after night of deadly strikes
Iranian state television says a ceasefire in its war with Israel has now begun, following a night of missile strikes. Israel's ambulance service says at least four people were killed, with footage from southern Israel showing extensive damage to what appeared to be a residential building. Sirens sounded in several areas - and members of the public who received an alert were ordered to take shelter - with explosions heard over Tel Aviv. Early on Tuesday morning, US President Donald Trump declared: "The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!" The message on Truth Social followed a series of posts on Monday, in which the US President declared that a "complete and total ceasefire" had been agreed upon between the two countries and would begin at approximately 5 am UK time. In a post on X, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that Tehran "has no intention" to continue its response - provided the Israeli regime "stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people". Israeli media reports suggested Benjamin Netanyahu was also on board - provided Iran stops firing missiles towards the country - but there has been no official confirmation. Mr Trump had written: "Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. "On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end, what should be called, 'THE 12 DAY WAR.' "This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will!" 2:58 In an interview with Sky News' partner network NBC, the president said it was a "great day" for the US and the Middle East - and a "wonderful day" for the world. "I'm very happy to have been able to get the job done. A lot of people were dying, and it was only going to get worse. It would have brought the whole Middle East down," he said. Mr Trump said he thinks the ceasefire is "unlimited" and is "going to go forever" - adding: "I don't believe they will ever be shooting at each other again." Analysis: Seasoned diplomats startled at developments I've spoken to a diplomat involved in the fast-moving developments of the past 12 hours. The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak publicly, told me that Donald Trump called the Emir of Qatar yesterday evening. Trump told the emir that he had a commitment from Israel that it would cease its attacks on Iran. Trump asked the emir to try to secure the same commitment from the Iranians. The Qatari PM and vice president JD Vance engaged on the details of what they hoped could be achieved. The Qatari PM then spoke to Iranians (it's not clear who within the Iranian power structure the Qataris spoke to, and my source wouldn't say). The Iranians agreed to stop their attacks. Shortly after, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted the confirmation, saying: "The military operations of our powerful armed forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am. "Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave armed forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute." My source could not comment on the complex timeline (six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours) laid out in Donald Trump's Truth Social post, but it's thought that this might have been overtaken now by agreements made by Trump, the Israelis, the Iranians, and Qatar. Time will tell. It's clear from the tone of the messages I have had from various sources that the pace and style of the developments of the past 12 to 24 hours have left even these seasoned diplomats startled. Messages from several Middle Eastern diplomats have included emojis reflecting exasperation, surprise and bewilderment. Just hours earlier, people in the Qatari capital Doha had stopped and gazed up at the sky as Iranian missiles flew to the American al Udeid base and interceptors fired. Officials said there were no casualties, and the US later confirmed it had been warned about the attack by Iran. Mr Trump was in the Situation Room in the White House as the strikes took place. He later claimed on his social network that the missiles were a "very weak response", which the US "expected" and "very effectively countered". The Iranian attack came after the US dropped "bunker buster bombs" on three key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. In a new interview on Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance claimed Iran is no longer able to build nuclear weapons after the American attacks.
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
Prime Minister heads to Nato summit as Trump declares Israel-Iran ceasefire
The Prime Minister heads to a Nato summit on Tuesday amid uncertainty surrounding a ceasefire between Israel and Iran announced by US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump said on Monday night he had secured the 'complete and total ceasefire' following Iran's retaliation against a US strike on its nuclear facilities. Iran's foreign minister said it would stop attacks if Israel stopped its own strikes by 4am Tehran time (2am BST) on Tuesday while state television said a ceasefire had begun. Israel has declined to comment on Mr Trump's ceasefire post on social media, but said four people had been killed by Iranian missile strikes after the 4am deadline, with the Israel Airports Authority adding the country's skies were closed to planes until further notice. Ahead of the two-day summit in the Netherlands, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said Sir Keir would continue to press for a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Iran crisis. The UK lifted advice for its citizens to shelter in place in Qatar after Iran launched a retaliatory attack on the US Al Udeid military base. Qatar also reopened its airspace. Mr Trump called Iran's action 'a very weak response' and thanked Tehran 'for giving us early notice' to avoid any casualties. He later said in a Truth Social post that Israel and Iran had agreed a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be phased in over 24 hours, saying the two countries had approached him 'almost simultaneously'. He said the ceasefire would be phased-in over 24 hours, giving the two countries six hours to have 'wound down and completed their in progress, final missions'. 'The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS!' he posted later. 'They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH.' A senior White House official said Mr Trump had been in contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the ceasefire plan, while vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff had been in communication with Iran through direct and indirect channels. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X there was 'NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations'. But he said Iran had 'no intention' of continuing attacks if Israel stopped its 'illegal aggression against the Iranian people' by 4am Tehran time (2am BST), around a quarter of an hour before his post. He added a 'final decision' on ending military operations would be made later. Israeli airstrikes targeted Tehran before the 4am deadline, while Israel reported three waves of missiles from Iran overnight emergency services saying the barrage had killed four people in Beersheba in the south of the country. The Israeli UN mission said it had no comment on the president's post. Meanwhile, the UK started evacuating Britons from Israel, with the first group of 63 flown back via Cyprus. Downing Street said 'around 1,000' people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight – a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. The Government has withdrawn staff from its embassy in Iran and it is operating 'remotely', Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs. Mr Lammy previously spoke of a two-week window for a diplomatic solution after Mr Trump's apparent decision last week to delay US military action, but on Monday said the window had 'narrowed' although the need for a diplomatic solution remained. Mr Lammy said: 'My message for Tehran was clear, take the off ramp, dial this thing down, and negotiate with the United States seriously and immediately. 'The alternative is an even more destructive and far-reaching conflict, which could have unpredictable consequences.'
