The US Prohibits Its Airlines from Flying Over Iranian and Iraqi Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States has banned American carriers from entering the airspace over Iraq, the Gulf of Oman, and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia. This measure comes in response to missile strikes on a US airbase located in Iraq by Iranian forces.

According to alarabiya.net, US authorities implemented the ban against the backdrop of rising political tensions and a sharp increase in military activity in the Middle East, emphasizing that the current situation poses significant risks for US civil aviation operations. This prohibition applies to all airlines registered in the United States.

It was previously reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed responsibility for the missile attack on the American airbase in Iraq.

“The IRGC confirms that it has struck the American airbase ‘Ain al-Asad’ with dozens of missiles,” the agency stated on Twitter, highlighting that these attacks are retaliation for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani by the US military. Iranian Tasnim news agency reported that more than 35 missiles were fired towards the ‘Ain al-Asad’ military base. A source from Iraq's security services indicated that over 9 strikes were conducted on the base. According to CNN sources, no US military personnel were injured as a result of the strike on the ‘Ain al-Asad’ airbase.

US Assistant Secretary of Defense Johnathan Hoffman stated that Iran targeted US military bases in Iraq with ballistic missiles. “On January 8, around 5:30 AM, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at US bases and the coalition in Iraq. It is clear that these missiles were fired from Iran, with the intention of conducting missile attacks on at least two Iraqi bases where US military and coalition personnel are stationed. We are working on an initial assessment of the damage,” he reported.

It is important to note that General Qassem Soleimani of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed in Baghdad on January 3. Following the general's assassination, the Swiss ambassador, Markus Leitner, who represents US interests in Tehran, was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Reports also indicate that the US military has been placed on high alert following the killing of the Iranian general. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to take revenge for the assassination of the Quds Force commander, General Qassem Soleimani.