Iran Airspace
Current Status
The Tehran FIR (OIIX) remains effectively closed to most Western and European carriers. EASA maintains an active Conflict Zone Information Bulletin advising against operations within Iranian airspace at all flight levels. The FAA has a standing prohibition on US-registered aircraft operating in the OIIX FIR.
Iran's airspace has been a high-risk zone since 2020, with risk levels escalating through regional conflict cycles. The April 2024 direct exchange between Iran and Israel marked a new phase, with regional military systems transiting the FIR. Subsequent tensions in late 2025 and early 2026 have kept the airspace firmly in the highest risk category.
Regional carriers including Iran Air, Mahan Air, and some Gulf operators continue to transit portions of the FIR, but most international airlines route around Iranian airspace entirely, adding 30-90 minutes to Europe-Asia flights via Turkmenistan or southern corridors.
Key Risks
Iran has launched regional military systems through its own FIR during regional escalations, creating unpredictable hazard zones at all flight levels.
Persistent GPS jamming and spoofing reported across the FIR, particularly along western borders and near military installations.
Military drone activity within the FIR creates uncoordinated hazards for civil aviation at lower and medium flight levels.
Active air defense networks with historical misidentification risk, as demonstrated by the PS752 incident in January 2020.
War risk insurance premiums for Iranian airspace transit are prohibitively high for most commercial operators.
Recent Events
EASA renewed CZIB for OIIX FIR through Q3 2026, citing continued regional instability.
Multiple airlines rerouted away from OIIX following regional escalation, adding significant fuel costs to Asia-bound flights.
GPS spoofing incidents reported by overflying aircraft near western Iran increased 40% compared to Q2.
Iran launched regional military systems through OIIX FIR, triggering emergency closures across multiple adjacent FIRs.
EASA & FAA Guidance
EASA maintains CZIB 2024-02R3 for the Tehran FIR (OIIX), advising EU operators to avoid the entire FIR at all flight levels. The FAA prohibits US civil aviation operations within Iranian airspace under SFAR 117. These restrictions have been continuously renewed since 2020 with no relaxation timeline indicated by either authority.
Related
This page provides publicly available information about airspace conditions. Always consult official sources (ICAO, EASA, FAA) for operational decisions.