Regional Airspace Shuts Down After U.S.–Israel Strikes On Iran; Fatality Reported In Abu Dhabi
All civilian air travel was halted across parts of the Middle East on Saturday as the fallout from coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran continued to escalate. Multiple governments closed their airspace, grounding commercial flights and diverting inbound aircraft amid concerns over missile activity and expanding military operations.
Authorities in Israel and Iran suspended civilian departures and arrivals following exchanges of fire. Several neighboring Gulf states also issued temporary airspace closures or severe restrictions as a precaution, according to reporting from Reuters. Airlines began rerouting long-haul flights to avoid affected corridors stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.
In the United Arab Emirates, officials confirmed at least one casualty in Abu Dhabi after debris from what authorities described as an intercepted aerial projectile fell in a populated area. Local emergency services said the individual died at the scene, and several others were treated for minor injuries, The Peninsula Qatar reported.The UAE government did not immediately attribute responsibility but said investigations were underway.
Iranian officials stated that retaliatory missile launches were directed at Israeli military targets and warned that further action could follow if strikes continued. Israeli authorities reported additional incoming fire during the day and maintained nationwide alert status.
The Guardian reported that regional aviation authorities were coordinating with international carriers to prevent civilian aircraft from entering active conflict zones. Major global airlines announced suspensions of routes serving Tel Aviv, Tehran, and several Gulf destinations until further notice.
The suspension of air traffic disrupted thousands of travelers and created ripple effects across international flight networks. Aviation analysts said prolonged closures could significantly impact global transit routes linking Europe, Asia and Africa.
There was no independent confirmation of the total number of casualties across the broader region. Governments in Washington, Tehran, and Jerusalem have not indicated when military operations might conclude. Diplomatic channels remain active, but no formal ceasefire discussions have been announced.
