Iran

Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly

[ about risk levels ]
Feb-March 2026: Iranian airspace (OIIX/Tehran FIR) is currently closed following large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets beginning 28 Feb. Iran has responded with missile and drone launches across the region. The conflict remains active and unpredictable.

See OPSGROUP Briefing: Middle East airspace situation - March 2026

The primary risk in Iranian airspace is misidentification of civil aircraft by air defence systems during periods of heightened tension. Iran has previously operated advanced air defence and conducted missile activity close to busy international routes with little warning to civil aviation, and the shoot-down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 over Tehran in Jan 2020 shows how quickly the situation can deteriorate.

Several states continue to warn against operations in Iranian airspace, and the US still bans N-reg aircraft. Most operators have been avoiding Iran and Israel since the Oct 2024 rocket attacks between the two countries. Most Middle East transits have been operating south via Egypt/Saudi or north via the Caucasus and Central Asia.



Major events:
Feb 2026: US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets; Iranian missile and drone retaliation across the Middle East; widespread FIR closures including OIIX.
June 2025: Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes, prompting renewed airspace warnings and avoidance.
Oct 2024: Israel and Iran carried out missile attacks against each other, leading most international operators to avoid both airspaces.
Jan 2020: Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 over Tehran after misidentifying the aircraft as a hostile target.

Current warnings list :

Source Reference Issued Valid to
France Notam LFFF F0992/26 12 May 2026 27 May 2026
Germany Notam EDWW B0189/26 02 Apr 2026 04 Jun 2026
Italy Notam LIRR E0559/26 13 Mar 2026 10 Jun 2026
EASA CZIB 2026-03-R10 28 Feb 2026 27 May 2026
Germany AIC 08/25 15 Feb 2025 Ongoing
USA SFAR 117 03 Oct 2024 31 Oct 2027
UK UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5) 03 Oct 2024 Ongoing
France AIC 002/26 09 Apr 2020 Ongoing
USA Notam KICZ A0016/20 17 Feb 2020 Ongoing
Canada AIC 21/25 10 Jan 2020 Ongoing
Source: France
Issued: 12-May-26, valid until: 27 May 2026
Plain English: French operators should not enter the airspace of Iran.
FRENCH AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY FRANCE, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN FRANCE ARE REQUESTED NOT TO PENETRATE INTO THE ENTIRE AIRSPACE OF IRAN (FIR TEHRAN (OIIX)). THIS NOTAM SUPERSEDES THE RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING IRAN AIRSPACE (FIR TEHRAN (OIIX)) ISSUED IN PARAGRAPH 3.14 IRAN OF THE AIC NR 02/26 CURRENTLY IN EFFECT.
Source: Germany
Issued: 02-Apr-26, valid until: 04 Jun 2026
Plain English: German operators should not enter the airspace of Iran. Overrides the caution in the previous AIC.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN IRAN CIVIL GERMAN AIR OPERATORS ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO ENTER FIR TEHRAN (OIIX). POTENTIAL RISK TO AVIATION FROM ESCALATING CONFLICT AND ANTI-AVIATION WEAPONRY. THIS NOTAM OVERRULES THE RECOMMENDATION PROVIDED IN THE CURRENTLY APPLICABLE AIC.
Source: Italy
Issued: 13-Mar-26, valid until: 10 Jun 2026
Plain English: Italian operators should avoid the OIIX/Tehran FIR.
ITALIAN AIR CARRIERS AND CAPTAINS OF AIRCRAFT IN CHARGE OF AIR SERVICES OPERATED BY CARRIERS HOLDING AN OPERATING LICENSE ISSUED BY ITALY, WHETHER THEY ARE CONTRACTUAL CARRIERS AND/OR OPERATING CARRIERS, OR PERFORMING AIR SERVICES THROUGH A WET LEASE OR A CODESHARE AGREEMENT AS WELL AS FOR ANY FLIGHT MADE WITH AN AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN ITALY ARE RECOMMENDED TO AVOID OIIX FIR AND ENSURE THAT A ROBUST RISK ASSESSMENT IS IN PLACE TOGETHER WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CONTINGENCY PLANNING IN WHOLE MIDDLE EAST ACCORDING TO EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2026-03-R10
Issued: 28-Feb-26, valid until: 27 May 2026
Plain English: Operators should avoid Iran, Iraq and Lebanon airspace, and exercise caution in Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
This CZIB is issued based on information currently available to EASA, the European Commission and Member States in order to share information which is considered necessary to ensure the safety of flights over zones of interest and indicate areas of high risk.
 
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel conducted military strikes targeting sites within Iranian territory. In response, Iran carried out retaliatory attacks. The resulting military conflict created high risks not only to the airspace of Iran but also to that of neighbouring States hosting U.S. military bases or otherwise affected by the hostilities and associated military activities, including interceptions.
 
A temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, announced on 8 April 2026 and subsequently extended on 21 April 2026, is currently holding. As a result, the situation has moved from an active intense conflict with a high number of kinetic events to a state of heightened tension, with limited, sporadic and confined kinetic events of low intensity. However, maritime incidents are still taking place in the Strait of Hormuz and neighbouring airspace, affecting in particular UAE.
 
Given the ongoing high level of tensions and the potential for further military action, Iran maintains a high level of alert for its air force and air defence units nationwide, which creates an increased likelihood of misidentification within the FIR Tehran (OIIX).
 
In addition, the airspace over Iraq (ORBB/FIR Baghdad) continues to be affected by recurrent Iranian strikes and the ongoing operations of violent non-state actors (VNSAs), in particular Iranian-backed militant groups (IBMGs).
 
Furthermore, due to the recurrence of military activity affecting the airspace of Lebanon and the limited actions in terms of air space risk management of the State concerned, there is high risk to civil aircraft at all altitudes and flight levels within the airspace of Lebanon.
 
While the overall level of risk has decreased in the region, the sustainability of the ceasefire remains uncertain in the longer term, with a possibility of rapid escalation. Therefore, close monitoring and up-to-date risk assessments remain essential to ensure safety of flights. Should the existing truce break down, the airspaces covered by this Bulletin are likely to be exposed to imminent threats.
 
In terms of airspace management during the conflict, most of the States concerned have taken measures to address airspace risks by implementing temporary airspace closures and restrictions, thereby contributing to the mitigation of risks to civil aviation.  
 
EASA, together with the Commission and Member States, will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a view to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation.

Air operators should:

1. Not operate within the affected airspace of Iran, Iraq, Lebanon at all flight levels and altitudes.
2. Exercise caution and take potential risks into account when operating within the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
3. Ensure that an up-to-date risk assessment and a high level of contingency planning are in place for operations within the airspace specified in point 2 above, and be prepared for short notice instructions from the State authorities.
4. Closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications concerning the region, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities.

Air operators are reminded that the following CZIBs remain in effect with recommendations not to operate at all flight levels and altitudes:
* CZIB on airspace of Syria (CZIB-2017-03R19)
* CZIB on airspace of Yemen – Sana’a Flight Information Region (CZIB-2017-07R19)

The present CZIB supersedes the following CZIBs:
* CZIB on Iran and neighbouring airspace (2026-02-R1)
* CZIB on the airspace of Lebanon (2024-01 R7);
* CZIB on the airspace of Iraq (CZIB-2017-04R19);
Source: Germany
Reference: AIC 08/25
Issued: 15-Feb-25, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to German operators in the airspace of Iran due to the potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.
SECURITY - HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN IRAN
Civil German air operators are advised to take potential risk into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR TEHRAN (OIIX). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.
Source: USA
Reference: SFAR 117
Issued: 03-Oct-24, valid until: 31 Oct 2027
Plain English: US operators are prohibited from overflying the OIIX/Tehran FIR due to the risk of misidentification, and unannounced military activities in the region.
This action extends the prohibition against certain flight operations in the Tehran Flight Information Region (FIR) (OIIX) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier, for an additional three years, from October 31, 2024, to October 31, 2027. The FAA finds this action necessary to address significant unacceptable safety-of-flight risks to U.S. civil aviation operations that continue in the Tehran FIR (OIIX) during periods of heightened regional tensions and increased military activities. The FAA also republishes the approval process and exemption information for this Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR), consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.
Source: UK
Issued: 03-Oct-24, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: UK operators should not enter the OIIX/Tehran FIR due to potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry.
Security - Hazardous Situation in Iran

UK civil air operators are recommended not to enter FIR TEHRAN (OIIX). Potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry and heightened military activity.
Source: France
Reference: AIC 002/26
Issued: 09-Apr-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: French operators should not overfly the western half of the country (everywhere west of 54 Degrees East longitude); overflights of the eastern half should be at or above FL320.
From 09/04/2020 and until further notice, pilots in command of aircraft performing air services mentioned in paragraph 1.1 are requested not to penetrate in the part of the TEHRAN FIR (OIIX) located west of the 54th meridian and to ensure that their aircraft maintain at all times a flight level above or equal to FL320 in the part of the TEHRAN FIR (OIIX) located east of the 54th meridian.
Source: USA
Issued: 17-Feb-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: US operators should exercise caution in the overwater airspace in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Avoid the airways nearest to the OIIX/Tehran FIR whenever possible, to reduce the risk of miscalculation or misidentification by air defence systems.
A0016/20 (Issued for KICZ)
SECURITY..UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ADVISORY FOR OVERWATER AIRSPACE ABOVE THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE GULF OF OMAN.

THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A BELOW SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN OPERATING IN OVERWATER AIRSPACE ABOVE THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE GULF OF OMAN IN THE KUWAIT FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR) (OKAC), JEDDAH FIR (OEJD) , BAHRAIN FIR (OBBB), EMIRATES FIR (OMAE), AND MUSCAT FIR (OOMM) DUE TO CONTINUED ELEVATED MILITARY POSTURING AND POLITICAL TENSIONS IN THE REGION.

NOTAM KICZ A0002/20, WHICH PROHIBITS U.S. CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS IN THE TEHRAN FIR (OIIX), REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

A. APPLICABILITY. THIS NOTAM APPLIES TO: ALL U.S. AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS; ALL PERSONS EXERCISING THE PRIVILEGES OF AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE FAA, EXCEPT SUCH PERSONS OPERATING U.S. REGISTERED AIRCRAFT FOR A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER; AND ALL OPERATORS OF AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT WHERE THE OPERATOR OF SUCH AIRCRAFT IS A FOREIGN AIR CARRIER.

B. PLANNING. THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A PLANNING TO OPERATE IN THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA MUST REVIEW CURRENT SECURITY/THREAT INFORMATION AND NOTAMS AND COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE FAA REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS, MANAGEMENT SPECIFICATIONS, AND LETTERS OF AUTHORIZATION, INCLUDING UPDATING B450.

C. OPERATIONS. AVOID AIR ROUTES NEAREST TO THE TEHRAN FIR (OIIX) BOUNDARY, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF MISCALCULATION OR MISIDENTIFICATION BY AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS. ADDITIONALLY, AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN THE ABOVE-NAMED AREA MAY ENCOUNTER INADVERTENT GPS INTERFERENCE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS JAMMING, WHICH COULD OCCUR WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.

THOSE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A MUST REPORT SAFETY AND/OR SECURITY INCIDENTS TO THE FAA AT +1 202-267-3333. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AT: HTTPS://WWW.FAA.GOV/AIR_TRAFFIC/PUBLICATIONS/US_RESTRICTIONS/.

SFC - UNL, 17 FEB 19:54 2020 UNTIL PERM. CREATED: 17 FEB 20:00 2020
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 21/25
Issued: 10-Jan-20, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Canadian operators should not enter the OIIX/Tehran FIR, due to the potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Level 2 (Recommendation)
SECURITY – HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN IRAN. Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are recommended not to enter FIR Tehran (OIIX). Potential risk from antiaviation weaponry and military operations.