The escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran has halted civilian airport operations in the Middle East.
AP News reported Tuesday that Israel, Iran, and Iraq have all closed their airspace while missile attacks between Israel and Iran are ongoing.
Iran closed its airspace on Friday shortly after Israel launched a preemptive attack on Tehran. Israel alleges that the Islamic Republic was working towards completing a nuclear weapons program.
Israeli airline El Al canceled all of its flights on Monday, with more flights cancelled through next Monday, according to the Times of Israel. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that the country’s flag carrier was authorized to operate flights back to Israel for citizens traveling abroad.
Major U.S. airlines Delta and United have also paused flights to Israel as of Monday.
The civilian airport closures occur as strikes from both sides target strategic locations for military aircraft. On Monday, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they destroyed two Iranian F-14 Tomcats located in Isfahan, Iran.
U.S. Weighs In
President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric with several posts to social media this week supporting Israel. On Tuesday, Trump stated on Truth Social that “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.”
It’s unclear whether or not the President was referring to Israeli or U.S. forces for this matter. Later in the day, Trump vaguely posted “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
AP News reported Tuesday that Trump warned Iranians in Tehran to “immediately evacuate” in another post.
All this comes after a mass of U.S. Air Force KC-135R and KC-46A refueling tankers were spotted on flight tracking software heading over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. The War Zone reported counting dozens of the Air Force refueling tankers flying east over the Atlantic from bases across the U.S.
The KC-46A Pegasus, according to the Air Force, is capable of storing 212,900 pounds of fuel. The aircraft is mainly used for aerial refueling and airlift missions. The KC-135R Stratotanker has similar uses and can transfer up to 200,000 pounds of fuel.
Pundits have raised concerns about the possibility of a wider conflict drawing in more direct U.S. involvement. Politico reported on a U.S. military buildup in the region after the USS Nimitz was deployed there by the Navy.
