Iran, Syria, and Iraq Close Airspace Following Israeli Military Strikes
TEHRAN, October 26, 2024: In a significant response to intensified Israeli strikes on military targets in Iran, the governments of Iran, Syria, and Iraq have closed their airspace to all flights.
This unprecedented measure is aimed at securing the region’s airspace amid escalating tensions and will affect civilian, commercial, and non-operational military flights until at least Saturday morning.
Although Iran initially planned to reopen at 9 AM, the closure has since been extended indefinitely.
The Israeli strikes targeted key military sites throughout Iran, prompting immediate reactions on Iranian social media, where users expressed concerns over potential further actions by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Images circulating online showed passengers disembarking from grounded flights at Iranian airports, underscoring the disruption’s impact on regional air travel and the substantial financial losses faced by airlines.
Flight data reveals that the distance from Israel to Tehran is approximately 1,600 kilometers. With F-16s capable of speeds up to 2,400 km/h (Mach 2.0) and F-35s reaching 1,931 km/h (Mach 1.6) at high altitude, the estimated flight time from Tehran back to Israeli airspace is around 50 minutes.
This time may extend by an additional 15 to 30 minutes if mid-air refueling is required, depending on operational needs.
