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Iran strikes
Airspace over Iran closed for civilian flights following strikes in Tehran. Photo: Unsplash

Middle East on edge: Iran shuts airspace after massive strikes on its cities

| @indiablooms | Feb 28, 2026, at 02:49 pm

Iran has shut down its airspace for civilian flights following joint “pre-emptive strikes” by Israel and the United States on Tehran, sharply escalating tensions in the region.

Speaking to IRNA, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization spokesperson Majid Akhavan said the airspace would remain closed for six hours.

The strikes reportedly targeted five Iranian cities, including the capital, after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the operation. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Washington’s involvement.

Several missiles struck the University Street and Republic areas of Tehran. Iran’s state-run IRNA reported thick smoke rising over parts of the city, with multiple explosions heard across the capital.

Media reports indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been relocated to a secure location following the attacks.

In a video address, Trump emphasized that the United States would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, noting that diplomatic efforts had previously been pursued to reach an agreement.

Calling the operation a “noble mission,” Trump acknowledged the potential for casualties, stressing that the action aimed to secure long-term peace and stability.

Israel has declared a state of emergency amid fears of possible retaliatory strikes from Iran, raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.

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