UAE carriers halt flights to Israel, Iran, and Lebanon
Air India, Emirates reroute jets mid-flight
DUBAI: UAE airlines, including Etihad Airways and flydubai, suspended or rerouted several flights on Friday following Israel’s widescale airstrikes on Iran that have raised fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
The disruption comes amid a closure of Iranian airspace and the shutdown of Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
Etihad cancelled two flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, while four others were delayed. Flydubai halted operations to Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, citing “operational challenges” amid regional instability. Emirates and Air India diverted several aircraft mid-flight. One Emirates service from Manchester was rerouted to Istanbul, and a flydubai jet from Belgrade landed in Yerevan, Armenia.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed a near-total evacuation of commercial air traffic from Israeli, Iranian, and Iraqi airspace following the onset of Israel’s military operation.
Iranian airspace is now closed. Flights inside Iran and completing their transit or diverting out. Flights planned to pass over Iran are holding or diverting.
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 13, 2025
Example flights: https://t.co/zQovc4sZwH pic.twitter.com/P2wIEYRCBp
Iraq’s civil aviation authority also announced the temporary closure of all airports in the country.
Israel, Iran tensions
The travel chaos follows a dramatic escalation in military tensions. In a move Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “decisive,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched “Operation Rising Lion” early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and senior military officials.
Massive explosions were reported in Tehran, including at the Natanz uranium enrichment site. Israel said its goal was to eliminate what it described as an “imminent threat” of Iran developing nuclear weapons, claiming Tehran was nearing the “point of no return.”
Over 200 Israeli fighter jets struck approximately 100 targets, according to IDF officials. In response, Iran launched around 100 drones at Israel. The IDF stated it was working to intercept the UAVs.
Iran’s state media reported that Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami was killed in the strikes, along with two nuclear scientists. Civilian casualties were also reported, with at least 50 wounded – many of them women and children.
Israel has declared a state of emergency, deploying tens of thousands of soldiers across borders in anticipation of retaliatory attacks. Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of an “immediate” threat to civilian areas, while residents across the country were advised to remain close to shelters.
Global impact
The immediate global fallout was felt in financial markets and energy sectors. Brent crude oil surged by $5.52 to $74.88 per barrel, and US benchmark crude rose by $5.6 to $73.61 per barrel amid fears of supply disruption. Asian markets slipped: Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.2%, and Seoul’s Kospi lost 0.7%.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there were no reported increases in radiation levels at Natanz, though concerns remain over long-term implications.
Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes as “blatant Israeli aggressions,” while the United Nations urged both sides to exercise “maximum restraint.” US President Donald Trump confirmed he had prior knowledge of the attack but reiterated the US played no role. He added that Tehran “cannot have a nuclear bomb” and expressed hope that negotiations could still proceed.
Despite the airstrikes, US and Iranian officials are still expected to meet in Oman on Sunday to discuss Iran’s uranium enrichment programme. A US official said plans had not changed, though it remained unclear whether Iran would still attend.
Meanwhile, the US State Department ordered its staff in Israel to shelter in place. The US military is reportedly preparing for potential evacuations of American citizens from the region.