EASA tells airlines to avoid Iran, Iraq and Lebanon airspace until 31 August after new US-Iran strikes
The EU aviation safety agency has told carriers to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon through 31 August, citing a fragile US-Iran truce and the risk of further military action after a new round of strikes.
EASA advisory
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin on 8 July advising all European carriers to completely avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon at all flight levels until 31 August. The agency said the decision was based on the ongoing high level of tensions and the potential for further military action, warning that the US-Iran truce remains fragile and the situation could change suddenly. The previous bulletin, which expired on 8 July, had included Lebanon and also called for caution when operating in the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The new bulletin focuses on Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, and it is not yet clear whether a separate notice will be issued for the other Gulf states.
Military escalation
The advisory follows a sharp exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran. US forces launched a new wave of attacks against Iran and revoked a license that had allowed Iran to sell oil, after three tankers were hit by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. EASA noted that if the existing truce were to break down, Iranian airspace would likely be exposed to direct threats.
The ongoing high level of tensions and the potential for further military action.
- Three tankers struck by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
- US launches new wave of strikes against Iran and revokes oil sale license.
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards target US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.
- EASA issues Conflict Zone Information Bulletin for Iran, Iraq and Lebanon until 31 August.
- EU foreign ministers to meet Gulf counterparts to discuss truce and freedom of navigation.
Diplomatic reaction
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas condemned the Iranian strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait as unacceptable and warned that the exchanges of fire further complicate already difficult talks to end the war. She announced that EU foreign ministers will meet their Gulf counterparts on Monday 13 July to discuss how to support the implementation of the truce and maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
The exchanges of fire between the US and Iran further complicate the already burdened talks to end the war. Iran's attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait are unacceptable.
What's next
The EU-Gulf meeting on 13 July will focus on de-escalation and maritime security, while airlines face rerouting costs and longer flight times as they avoid the affected airspace. The situation remains volatile, with EASA warning that the risk of misidentification of civil aircraft persists.
