Iran issues NOTAM warning aircraft not to fly over its airspace

The Middle East is on edge as Iran has issued a stark warning to Israel, vowing retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Fears of a wider regional conflict are mounting as the US warns of potential Iranian and Hezbollah attacks within hours.

Tehran has issued a NOTAM advising aircraft to avoid the country’s central, western, and northwestern airspace, fueling speculation of a possible preemptive strike by Israel.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has vehemently condemned the killing of Haniyeh, calling it a violation of international law and asserting Tehran’s right to defend its sovereignty.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has convened an urgent call with G7 counterparts to coordinate a response and attempt to de-escalate the situation.

Blinken warned of potential Iranian and Hezbollah attacks as early as Monday, emphasising the need to limit the scale of retaliation to prevent a full-blown war.