Qatar Airways temporarily suspends flights to Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon

NEWSROOM — Qatar Airways announced on Thursday that it has temporarily suspended flights to and from Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The airline stated that the suspension would remain in effect “until further notice,” without providing a specific timeline for resumption.

Flights to Amman, Jordan, will continue but will be restricted to daylight hours only, the airline confirmed.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary,” Qatar Airways said in a statement, stressing that the safety and security of passengers remains its highest priority.

This decision comes amid growing instability in the region, following Iran’s missile attack on Israel. On October 1, 2024, Iran launched over 180 missiles toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other key figures from Iran and Hamas in Israeli airstrikes. The Iranian missile barrage is considered one of the most significant launched against Israel in recent years.

Israel’s air defense systems, bolstered by U.S. support, intercepted many of the missiles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will face consequences “at a time and place of Israel’s choosing.”