Iraq extends airspace closure for 48 hours in third consecutive suspension

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority extended the country’s airspace closure for 48 hours on Monday, the third consecutive suspension since regional hostilities escalated over the weekend, covering all incoming, departing and overflying aircraft until noon Wednesday.

The authority said the decision was based on “the ongoing assessment of the security situation and in light of developments and regional tensions” and would be reassessed as events unfold.

Iraq first closed its airspace Saturday following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian missile and drone launches across the region, with a 24-hour extension issued Sunday. Since then, projectiles targeting Erbil Air Base and the U.S. Consulate have been intercepted repeatedly, with debris damaging residential areas. Drone attacks on military sites in Dhi Qar and Basra were shot down, airstrikes hit Jurf al-Nasr in Babil killing two fighters, and further strikes were reported in Anbar and Diyala.

The government has declared three days of nationwide mourning following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and renewed its call for an immediate halt to military operations.