AMMAN: Jordan closed its airspace on Friday as a security precaution, following Iran’s drone attack on Israel in retaliation for earlier Israeli strikes on Tehran-linked targets.
In a statement carried by state news agency Petra, government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said, “Jordan’s national security is a red line, and it will not allow any attempt to threaten its security or the safety of its citizens.” He did not elaborate on the specifics of the airspace closure.
The move comes amid heightened regional tensions, mirroring Jordan’s stance in April 2024, when it intercepted Iranian drones and missiles that crossed into its airspace en route to Israel. At the time, the Jordanian government defended the decision despite domestic criticism, saying it was necessary to safeguard civilian lives and infrastructure.
The Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) announced the suspension of all inbound, outbound, and transit flights, citing international aviation safety protocols, including the Chicago Convention.
CARC Chief Commissioner Haitham Misto said the closure was a precautionary step and part of broader efforts to ensure flight and passenger safety amid the escalating conflict. He added that the measure will be reviewed regularly based on updated risk assessments.
Jordan, which shares borders with both Israel and Iraq—a close ally of Iran—occupies a strategically sensitive location in the region. Its decision to close its airspace underscores growing concerns over potential spillover from the escalating Iran-Israel confrontation.
