Iran reopened its airspace Wednesday evening after an unexpected five-hour closure that scrambled flight schedules worldwide and added another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between Tehran and Washington.
A Sudden Shutdown Catches Airlines Off Guard
Iranian authorities initially announced the airspace would close until 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, then extended the shutdown to 10:30 PM ET, according to Reuters. The closure threw a wrench into operations for airlines across the globe, forcing carriers to reroute or delay flights.
A NOTAM (notice to airmen) issued by Iran laid out strict parameters: "TEHRAN FIR CLSD TO ALL FLIGHTS EXCEPT INTERNATIONAL CIVIL ARR/DEP FLIGHTS TO/FROM TEHRAN FIR WITH PRIOR FLIGHT PERMISSION FROM IRAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY(CAA)."
By late Wednesday, Flightradar data showed the airspace had reopened, though only a handful of domestic flights were operating. Iranian carriers including Mahan Air, Yazd Airways and AVA Airlines resumed service to destinations within the country.
Major international carriers scrambled to adjust. India's largest airline, IndiGo, warned passengers of potential disruptions, while German carrier Lufthansa reshuffled its flight operations to work around the closure.
Trump Turns Up the Heat
The airspace drama unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions. Trump recently warned that any country doing business with Iran would face an additional 25% tariff on all trade with the United States. It's the kind of economic pressure designed to isolate Tehran diplomatically and financially.
The warning comes as rights groups report that Iran's crackdown on anti-government protesters has resulted in multiple deaths and thousands of arrests. Iranian authorities, meanwhile, say security personnel have also been killed in the unrest.
The situation on the ground is complicated. While protesters have taken to the streets challenging the regime, tens of thousands of supporters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rallied in Tehran in a show of force, according to The Guardian.
Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton, argued that negotiating with Iran is pointless, urging the U.S. to instead support opposition forces inside the country to build pressure on the regime.