“Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon have reopened their airspace following Iran’s drone and missile attacks on Israel. Jordan resumed air traffic operations ahead of schedule, while Lebanon announced the reopening of its airport after overnight closure. Iraq’s aviation authority declared the security risks mitigated.
Israel also reopened its airspace at 7:30 am, with flight schedules from Tel Aviv anticipated to be impacted. Flag carrier El Al has resumed operations, aiming to stabilize the flight schedule promptly and maintain the air connectivity to and from Israel.”
In a late-night assault on Saturday, Iran deployed explosive drones and launched missiles at Israel, marking its inaugural direct strike on Israeli territory in a retaliatory move, intensifying the risk of broader regional conflict. Tehran had vowed retaliation following what it claims was an Israeli assault on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus last week, resulting in the demise of a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’s overseas Quds Force and six other officers.
According to two regional security sources cited by Reuters, Jordan, situated between Iran and Israel, had activated air defenses to intercept any drones or missiles breaching its territory.
A statement from the Jordanian cabinet confirmed that the country intercepted certain airborne objects that encroached upon its airspace last night, emphasizing the safeguarding of citizens’ safety. The statement noted that although some shrapnel fell in various locations during the incident, no significant damage or injuries occurred.
The strikes by Iran have prompted swift reactions from numerous countries, with many denouncing them as a serious escalation, potentially leading to widespread repercussions in the region. These attacks occur against the backdrop of the ongoing Israeli conflict with Gaza, showing no signs of abating despite numerous mediation attempts.
Meanwhile, global airlines are adjusting their operations in response to Iran’s attacks. Emirates, based in the United Arab Emirates, announced the cancellation of some flights and the rerouting of others, according to a spokesperson for the airline. “We are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps to minimize disruption to our customers following recent airspace closures,” the spokesperson stated.
Etihad Airways, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, canceled flights to Jordan and Israel on Sunday, as stated in an official announcement by the airline. Swiss International Air Lines has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice, as communicated through a post on the social media platform X on Sunday.