Countries shut down air travel ahead of potential Iranian strike on Israel

Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon announced their airspaces would be closed due to Iran launching a swarm of drones toward Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces said just after 1 a.m. local time, or 4 p.m. Eastern time, that “hundreds of drones” launched toward Israel from within Iran had been detected and that the country is bracing for the attack.

“The IDF is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation,” the IDF posted on X. “The IDF Aerial Defense Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defense mission in Israeli air and naval space. The IDF is monitoring all targets.”

Israel’s aviation authorities announced they would be closing the country’s airspace to all flights at 12:30 a.m. local time.

Jordan said its airspace would be closed to inbound and outbound flights starting at 11 p.m. local time and would remain closed for “several hours.”

Jordan’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said the decision was made “in order to preserve the safety and security of civil aviation in Jordanian airspace, in light of the increasing regional tensions in the region, and after assessing the risks in accordance with the standards for civil aviation safety followed globally,” according to Al Mamlaka.

Meanwhile, Lebanese officials said the country would close its airspace starting at 1 a.m. local time.

“Due to the developments in the region and our keenness on the safety and security of Lebanese airspace, the Ministry of Public Works announces that Lebanese airspace is closed to all incoming, outgoing, and overflying aircraft, temporarily and precautiously, starting from 1:00 am today on Sunday, April 14, 2024, until 7:00 am of the same day,” Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamie posted on X. “Consequently, air navigation at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport is completely closed during the mentioned period, with updates and reviews according to developments.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The drones could take several hours to reach Israel, and Israel and its allies, including the United States, are preparing to combat the strike with defensive operations.

“President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement. “His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”