Israel closes airspace again after US strikes on Iran
22 June 2025 08:31
TEL AVIV (dpa)Israel has once again closed its airspace amid fears of further escalation following US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.The Israeli aviation authority announced on Sunday that, due to the current security situation, all arrivals and departures are suspended. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updates.However, land crossings to Egypt and Jordan remain open as usual, the authority added.
Israel had initially closed its airspace immediately after launching attacks on Iran on June 13. Since then, however, a limited number of special flights have been allowed to operate at Tel Aviv's airport, primarily to bring stranded Israelis home and evacuate foreign nationals.
Israel-Iran Conflict
Continue full coverage
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
35 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Kuwait sets up shelters in ministries complex after US strikes on Iran
Kuwait's finance ministry said it has set up shelters in the country's ministries complex following US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The shelters can accommodate around 900 people, the ministry said in a statement on X. The United States has a military presence across the major oil-producing region, with bases in Kuwait as well as in Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait
Arabian Post
an hour ago
- Arabian Post
Evacuation Flights Bring UAE Citizens Home from Iran
UAE authorities have flown back several nationals and residents from Iran as part of a security-driven emergency operation amid intensifying regional uncertainty. The coordinated move, which involved direct communication between officials in Abu Dhabi and Tehran, was aimed at ensuring swift and safe repatriation in light of mounting geopolitical instability in the region. The evacuation operation, which took place without prior public notice, was disclosed by the UAE government through an official communication that framed the development as part of the country's strategic priority to protect its population at all times, both within and beyond its borders. Government officials described the mission as successful and said it underscored both the preparedness of UAE institutions and the cooperation extended by Iranian authorities. This operation followed a period of escalating concern across Gulf capitals regarding the shifting security calculus in the region. Heightened tensions along multiple flashpoints, including Israel's confrontation with Hezbollah, increased Israeli military activity in Syria, and broader US-Iran rivalries, have prompted many regional states to reassess the safety of their citizens in neighbouring countries. ADVERTISEMENT Evacuations were undertaken with what authorities called 'full coordination' from the Iranian side, with logistical support extending to airport access and departure clearances. Officials said the operation reflects a commitment by both nations to preserve civilian safety despite broader political differences. While Iran and the UAE maintain diplomatic ties, their strategic positions in the Gulf have occasionally placed them on opposite sides of regional disputes. The successful completion of this evacuation marks a rare point of cooperation amidst an increasingly polarised environment. UAE officials did not specify the exact number of people evacuated, but confirmed that both Emirati nationals and residents were part of the group brought back to UAE territory. The evacuees were met with standard health and security protocols on arrival, in line with the country's emergency response procedures. No medical emergencies were reported among those returned, and the process was completed without logistical complications. Iranian authorities, while not releasing an official statement on the matter, were reported to have facilitated the operational groundwork needed for the departures, including transit permissions and support from local airport personnel. This was seen as part of a longstanding, if cautious, bilateral understanding that civilian welfare must be insulated from geopolitical frictions. This development comes amid a broader trend of diplomatic recalibrations across the Gulf and wider Middle East. Several states, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have publicly and privately raised the stakes around citizen security in conflict-adjacent zones. The UAE, in particular, has enhanced its foreign evacuation protocols, building on its previous experiences in Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ukraine, where its response teams worked to airlift both UAE citizens and international residents. The latest operation involved a combination of government aircraft and commercial chartered flights, with air corridors carefully planned to avoid disputed or high-risk airspaces. Although details of the exact flight paths have not been disclosed, air traffic tracking data indicated movement between Tehran and major UAE airports over a 24-hour window, matching the timing of the reported repatriations. ADVERTISEMENT Geopolitical observers view the UAE's evacuation effort as a signal of both risk awareness and logistical capacity. As tensions simmer along multiple borders, particularly those surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the Levant, Gulf countries have been intensifying contingency planning. With Tehran's political and security position under increasing international scrutiny, the possibility of further evacuations or advisories remains open. This latest evacuation adds to a growing list of strategic exercises undertaken by the UAE to secure its global citizenry. The country has been steadily building its capacity to respond to foreign crises, supported by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in close alignment with regional air traffic authorities and international embassies. The execution of these evacuations further demonstrates Abu Dhabi's investment in scalable and swift civilian response mechanisms during volatile periods. Diplomatic analysts suggest that the UAE-Iran coordination for this mission could act as a low-key confidence-building measure, even as major disagreements over regional policy persist. The UAE has continued to balance economic pragmatism with strategic caution in its dealings with Tehran, keeping open commercial and diplomatic links while aligning more broadly with Western defence strategies.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Gulf countries condemn US attack on Iran, warn of 'catastrophic consequences'
[Editor's Note: Follow our live blog for real-time updates on the latest developments in the Israel-Iran conflict.] Gulf countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman on Sunday expressed their concern and warned of major consequences after the US dropped bombs on Iranian nuclear sites amid the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, on Sunday said it feared serious repercussions after US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The foreign ministry "warns that the current dangerous escalation in the region may lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels", a statement said. "It calls on all parties to exercise wisdom, restraint, and to avoid further escalation. We stress the need to halt all military operations and immediately return to dialogue and diplomatic tracks to resolve outstanding issues." Meanwhile Saudi Arabia expressed "great concern" after the strikes, while condemning and denouncing the violation of the sovereignty of Iran. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the developments in the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States of America," the Saudi foreign ministry posted on X. "It expresses the need to exert all efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and avoid escalation," the statement added, urging the international community to increase attempts to find a political solution. The ministry also called on the international community to "redouble efforts in these extremely sensitive circumstances to reach a political solution that ensures ending the crisis, thus opening a new page for achieving security and stability in the region." Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, strongly condemned the US strikes. The Gulf sultanate "expresses deep concern, denunciation and condemnation of the escalation resulting from the direct air strikes launched by the United States on sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran", the official Oman News Agency said.
