Jordan, Iraq, and Syria close their airspace after Israeli strikes on Iran.

Jordan, Iraq, and Syria announced on Friday the closure of their airspace following Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said in a statement: "The Kingdom's airspace has been temporarily closed, and air traffic has been suspended for all incoming, outgoing, and transiting aircraft, in anticipation of any risks that may arise from the ongoing escalation in the region."

The Jordanian government confirmed on Friday that Jordan would not allow the use of its airspace and would not "be an arena for any conflict" following the Israeli strikes on Iran, anticipating a retaliation from the latter.

Dozens of missiles and drones launched by Iran against Israel in October 2024 were intercepted in Jordanian airspace. Government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani told Agence France-Presse that "the Kingdom has not and will not allow its airspace to be violated, and it will not be a battleground for any conflict."

The Iraqi Ministry of Transport also confirmed a complete suspension of air traffic at all Iraqi airports and the temporary closure of Iraqi airspace to ensure the safety of travelers amid regional security tensions.

The official Iraqi News Agency quoted a statement from the Ministry of Transport as saying, "Due to regional tensions, Iraqi air traffic has been suspended and Iraqi airspace closed until further notice, in order to preserve the safety of civil aviation in Iraqi airspace."

The statement added, "The General Company for Air Navigation Services has begun gradually clearing Iraqi airspace of incoming, outgoing, and transiting aircraft, in order to preserve the safety of passengers arriving at Iraqi airports, as well as aircraft transiting our airspace."

For its part, Syria announced on Friday a "temporary" closure of its airspace amid regional tensions following extensive Israeli strikes on Iran.

"We announce the temporary closure of Syrian airspace until 3:00 p.m. today, Damascus time, as part of the precautionary measures we are taking to ensure the safety of civil aviation amid current regional developments," said Ashhad al-Salibi, head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, in statements carried by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military leaders, and that this was the beginning of a "prolonged operation" to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including at the main Natanz uranium enrichment facility, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Iranian retaliation with missile and drone strikes.