Iran closes central, western airspace to international transit flights again

Iran has once again shut its western and central airspace to international flights due to escalating security concerns, according to a statement from the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.

The closure follows heightened regional tensions and comes amid speculation that Israel may violate the recently brokered ceasefire.

While Iran's eastern airspace remains open to domestic, international, and transit flights, the rest of the country's skies are restricted. Airports in the northern, southern, and western regions—including Tehran’s Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini International Airports—remain closed. Flight cancellations in those areas have been extended until Thursday at 14:00 local time, state media outlet SNN reported.

Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Ministry, said the decision was made by a civil aviation coordination committee, taking into account the ongoing security and safety risks.

“The country’s central and western airspace was closed again to international overflights, but the eastern half remains open,” he confirmed. The decision marks a reversal from the partial reopening of airspace over central and western Iran last Saturday, following a brief period of calm after a ceasefire was declared with Israel.

Airspace closures amid conflict

Iran had fully closed its airspace on June 13 after Israel launched multiple airstrikes, triggering retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran. The skies were partially reopened on June 25, just a day after a ceasefire was announced, and central and western airspace briefly reopened on June 29. However, continuing concerns over possible renewed hostilities have prompted the latest shutdown.

Aviation on alert

As regional tensions linger, Iran has warned that any further aggression would be met with a harsher response. The situation has left international carriers and aviation authorities on high alert, with rerouted flights and extended delays affecting multiple global routes.