Iran closes airspace to most flights amid escalating military tensions

Iran closes airspace to most flights amid escalating military tensions
/ bne IntelliNews
By bnm Tehran bureau January 14, 2026

Iran closed Tehran Flight Information Region to all flights except international civil arrivals and departures with prior permission from Iran's Civil Aviation Authority, according to a Notice to Airmen issued on January 14.

The airspace closure took effect from January 14 at 22:15 UTC through January 15 at 00:30 UTC, the NOTAM stated.

The restriction came hours after US President Donald Trump said the United States received information that killings in Iran have stopped. Trump announced on January 13 he has cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killing of protesters stops."

Germany's aviation authority advised German airlines on January 14 to avoid Iranian airspace through February 10 due to "potential risk to aviation from escalating conflict and anti-aviation weaponry."

Britain temporarily withdrew UK staff from its embassy in Iran on January 14, with the mission now operating remotely. Spain's Foreign Ministry issued a complete travel advisory against Iran, urging Spanish citizens to leave using available means.

US Central Command and regional partners opened a new air and missile defence coordination cell at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on January 12. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on January 14 that relevant departments will make a final decision on internet access "within one to two weeks."

Most airlines have suspended operations to Iran, with Turkish Airlines resuming flights on January 13 after brief suspensions. The US State Department urged American citizens on January 12 to leave Iran immediately via land borders to Armenia or Turkey.

Protests in Iran that began on December 29 following the rial's collapse have continued despite a near-total internet blackout imposed on January 8.

The latest verified death toll from Iran's protests stands at 2,571 as of 14 January, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which says it has confirmed 2,403 protester deaths, 147 government-affiliated personnel, 12 children, and 9 non-protesting civilians, with over 18,100 arrests.

Iranian state media acknowledged "a lot of martyrs" without specifics, while opposition outlet Iran International claims up to 12,000 killed.

Related Articles

Australian Unions Reach Deal with Inpex to End Strikes at Ichthys LNG Plant

Australian union groups have come to an agreement with Japanese energy firm Inpex to halt strike action at the Ichthys LNG facilities, Reuters reported on June 17. Australia’s Offshore Alliance, ... more

Iran, US sign Islamabad MoU on ceasefire, sanctions relief and Hormuz shipping

Iran and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Islamabad declaring an immediate and permanent end to military operations and setting a 60-day timetable to negotiate a final ... more

Deal or no deal? Comparing the Iran MoU to the JCPOA

When the US and the P5+1 concluded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, the document ran to 159 pages, enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231 with a snapback mechanism. The ... more

Dismiss
liveChat() ?>