Intensifying regional tensions, Iran, Syria, and Iraq have jointly closed their airspace to all flights following Israeli airstrikes on military sites in Iran. This sweeping restriction, intended to secure the airspace amid heightened security concerns, impacts civilian, commercial, and non-operational military flights, initially projected to resume at 9 a.m. but now extended indefinitely.
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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted strategic military sites in Iran, prompting widespread concern across Iranian social media about potential escalation. The disruption has grounded numerous flights, with passengers seen disembarking at Iranian airports, illustrating the extensive financial toll on airlines and travel.
The flight path between Israel and Tehran, a distance of approximately 1,600 kilometers, highlights the logistical complexity of these operations. For instance, at Mach 2.0 speeds (up to 2,400 km/h), an F-16 could complete the journey from Tehran to Israeli airspace in about 50 minutes. This timeframe could increase by 15-30 minutes if mid-air refueling is needed, depending on mission specifics.
