Iran
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
[ about risk levels ]
15 Jan 2026: Iranian airspace (OIIX/Tehran FIR) has reopened after a sudden short-notice closure overnight that lasted around five hours and triggered diversions and cancellations. No official explanation has been given publicly. Flight tracking shows overflights resuming, but most operators continue to avoid Iranian airspace due to elevated risk and existing airspace warnings. If you’re operating in Iran or neighbouring FIRs, the bigger risk picture hasn’t changed - ongoing regional tensions and the risk of further short-notice airspace closures.
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 instead.
Major events:
Jan 2026: Renewed nationwide unrest in Iran, increasing the risk of short-notice airspace closures and security-driven disruptions in the OIIX/Tehran FIR.
June 2025: Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes, prompting widespread airspace avoidance and renewed airspace warnings.
Oct 2024: Israel and Iran carried out missile attacks against each other, leading most international operators to avoid both airspaces.
Apr 2024: Israel launched a rocket attack on Iran. Iran temporarily closed the western part of the OIIX/Tehran FIR.
Jan 2024: Pakistan carried out air strikes into southeastern Iran after Iranian strikes in Pakistan the previous day, raising the risk of escalation and spillover airspace restrictions.
Sep 2023: Multiple reports of GPS spoofing affecting aircraft in northern Iran, particularly near the Iraq border.
Jul 2023: Four countries initiated legal action against Iran at the UN court over the Jan 2020 shoot-down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752, citing ongoing concerns about air defence safeguards.
Jan 2020: Iranian air defence forces shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 over Tehran after misidentifying the aircraft as a hostile target. Hours earlier, the US FAA issued emergency Notams banning US operators from overflying Iran and Iraq following Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Iraq.
Jun 2019: Iran shot down a US military unmanned aircraft over the Gulf of Oman using a surface-to-air missile system.
Since 2017: Iran has conducted multiple ballistic missile test launches without issuing Notams or advance warning to civil aviation.
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 instead.
Major events:
Jan 2026: Renewed nationwide unrest in Iran, increasing the risk of short-notice airspace closures and security-driven disruptions in the OIIX/Tehran FIR.
June 2025: Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes, prompting widespread airspace avoidance and renewed airspace warnings.
Oct 2024: Israel and Iran carried out missile attacks against each other, leading most international operators to avoid both airspaces.
Apr 2024: Israel launched a rocket attack on Iran. Iran temporarily closed the western part of the OIIX/Tehran FIR.
Jan 2024: Pakistan carried out air strikes into southeastern Iran after Iranian strikes in Pakistan the previous day, raising the risk of escalation and spillover airspace restrictions.
Sep 2023: Multiple reports of GPS spoofing affecting aircraft in northern Iran, particularly near the Iraq border.
Jul 2023: Four countries initiated legal action against Iran at the UN court over the Jan 2020 shoot-down of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752, citing ongoing concerns about air defence safeguards.
Jan 2020: Iranian air defence forces shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 over Tehran after misidentifying the aircraft as a hostile target. Hours earlier, the US FAA issued emergency Notams banning US operators from overflying Iran and Iraq following Iranian missile strikes on US bases in Iraq.
Jun 2019: Iran shot down a US military unmanned aircraft over the Gulf of Oman using a surface-to-air missile system.
Since 2017: Iran has conducted multiple ballistic missile test launches without issuing Notams or advance warning to civil aviation.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASA | CZIB 2026-02 | 16 Jan 2026 | 16 Feb 2026 | |
| Germany | Notam EDWW B0036/26 | 14 Jan 2026 | 10 Feb 2026 | |
| Italy | Notam LIRR E2877/25 | 16 Dec 2025 | 15 Mar 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 009/25 | 09 Apr 2020 | Ongoing | |
| USA | Notam KICZ A0016/20 | 17 Feb 2020 | Ongoing | |
| Canada | AIC 21/25 | 10 Jan 2020 | Ongoing |
Source: EASA
Reference: CZIB 2026-02
Issued: 16-Jan-26, valid until: 16 Feb 2026
Plain English: Operators should not enter the airspace of Iran.
This CZIB is issued based on information currently available to EASA, Member States and the European Commission 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.
Given the ongoing situation and the potential for U.S. military action, which has placed Iranian air defence forces on a heightened state of alert, there is currently an increased likelihood of misidentification within the FIR Tehran (OIIX).
The presence and possible use of a wide range of weapons and air-defence systems, combined with unpredictable state responses and the potential activation of SAM systems, creates a high risk to civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels.
Considering the overall high level of tensions, Iran is likely to maintain elevated alert levels for its air force and air defence units nationwide.
In the event of a U.S. intervention, the possibility of retaliatory actions against its assets in the region cannot be excluded, which could introduce additional risks to the airspace of neighbouring countries where the U.S. military bases are located.
EASA, 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:
- Not operate within the airspace of Iran, FIR Tehran (OIIX), at all altitudes and flight levels;
- Exercise caution and implement contingency planning for operations and routing planning within the airspace of neighbouring countries, in particular where the U.S. military bases are located;
- 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.
Given the ongoing situation and the potential for U.S. military action, which has placed Iranian air defence forces on a heightened state of alert, there is currently an increased likelihood of misidentification within the FIR Tehran (OIIX).
The presence and possible use of a wide range of weapons and air-defence systems, combined with unpredictable state responses and the potential activation of SAM systems, creates a high risk to civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels.
Considering the overall high level of tensions, Iran is likely to maintain elevated alert levels for its air force and air defence units nationwide.
In the event of a U.S. intervention, the possibility of retaliatory actions against its assets in the region cannot be excluded, which could introduce additional risks to the airspace of neighbouring countries where the U.S. military bases are located.
EASA, 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:
- Not operate within the airspace of Iran, FIR Tehran (OIIX), at all altitudes and flight levels;
- Exercise caution and implement contingency planning for operations and routing planning within the airspace of neighbouring countries, in particular where the U.S. military bases are located;
- 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.
Source: Germany
Reference: Notam EDWW B0036/26
Issued: 14-Jan-26, valid until: 10 Feb 2026
Plain English: German operators should not enter the airspace of Iran. Overrides the caution in the previous AIC.
B0036/26 NOTAMN
Q) EDXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/5123N01019E262
A) EDGG EDWW EDMM B) 2601141705 C) 2602102359
E) 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.
Q) EDXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E /000/999/5123N01019E262
A) EDGG EDWW EDMM B) 2601141705 C) 2602102359
E) 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
Reference: Notam LIRR E2877/25
Issued: 16-Dec-25, valid until: 15 Mar 2026
Plain English: Caution to Italian operators in 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 ENSURE THAT A ROBUST RISK ASSESSMENT IS IN PLACE TOGETHER WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR OPERATING IN AIRSPACE OF IRAN OIIX FIR ACCORDING TO EASA SAFETY DIRECTIVES.
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.
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
Reference: UK AIP ENR 1.1 (1.4.5)
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.
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 009/25
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
Reference: Notam KICZ A0016/20
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
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.
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.