Mideast countries close airspace as Iran launches drone attack against Israel

By Esra Tekin and Ahmed Asmar

ISTANBUL (AA) - Several countries across the Middle East closed their airspace and routed flights Saturday following an Iranian drone strike against Israel.

Lebanon's transportation minister said on X that his country’s airspace will be temporarily closed to all flights from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. local time as a precautionary measure.

Ali Hamieh said during those hours, the Rafik Hariri International Airport, the country’s only airport, will be closed, with updates provided based on developments.

Egypt also closed its airspace amid the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military escalation.

Kuwaiti authorities announced that all flights to Kuwait were diverted from areas of tension between Israel and Iran for the safety of passengers, according to the state news agency KUNA.

Jordan declared a state of emergency, according to the state-owned Al-Mamlaka news TV. It also closed its airspace to flights due to the current escalation.

Iraq also announced the closure of the country’s airspace and the suspension of all civilian flights.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the launch of dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel.

In a statement, the IRGC said the attack came in response to "numerous crimes" of Israel, including last week’s attack on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus.

The Israeli army said its forces are on high alert following the Iranian attack.

At least 13 people were killed in a missile attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus on April 1, including seven military advisers. Tehran blamed Israel for the attack.