Iran's warning to aircraft sparks fear of imminent attacks
Iran issued a warning to aircraft to avoid the airspace over part of the country. Tehran's actions have caused considerable concern, especially in connection with the announced retaliation against Israel.
5:22 PM EDT, August 5, 2024
The authorities in Tehran issued a NOTAM dispatch to pilots, instructing airplanes to avoid the airspace over the center, west, and northwest of the country.
Some pilots have already changed their routes. On flight-tracking maps, there's increasing traffic over Iraq and a noticeable "emptiness" over Iran.
The announcement caused quite a stir. Iran has been threatening for several days to carry out an attack on Israel. The attack will likely involve the Lebanese Hezbollah and is intended as retaliation.
In recent months, the situation in the Middle East has become exceptionally tense. Last week, there was an attack in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, the military leader of Hezbollah. The next day, in an attack in Tehran, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was killed. Both Iran and Hamas accuse Israel of responsibility for these attacks, although Israel has not confirmed its involvement.
The USA sets the timing
The USA believes that the attack may happen on Monday or Tuesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly conveyed this information during a conversation with G7 ministers.
Israel is preparing for the possibility of several days of rocket and drone raids from Iran and its allies. As reported by NBC, Israel expects its opponents will try to "exhaust" it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a security cabinet meeting on Sunday, assured that any attack would be met with a response.
