Airlines Keep Avoiding Middle East Airspace after US Attack on Iran
Airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East on Sunday after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, with traffic already skirting airspace in the region due to recent missile exchanges.
"Following US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has since new airspace restrictions were put into place last week," FlightRadar24 said on social media platform X.
Its website showed airlines were not flying in the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.
Missile and drone barrages in an expanding number of conflict zones globally represent a high risk to airline traffic.
Since Israel launched strikes on Iran on June 13, carriers have suspended flights to destinations in the affected countries, though there have been some evacuation flights from neighbouring nations and some bringing stranded Israelis home.
Israel's two largest carriers, El Al Israel Airlines and Arkia, said on Sunday they were suspending rescue flights that allowed people to return to Israel until further notice.
Israel's airports authority said the country's airspace was closed for all flights, but land crossings with Egypt and Jordan remained open.
Japan's foreign ministry said on Sunday it had evacuated 21 people, including 16 Japanese nationals, from Iran overland to Azerbaijan. It said it was the second such evacuation since Thursday and that it would conduct further evacuations if necessary.
New Zealand's government said on Sunday it would send a Hercules military transport plane to the Middle East on standby to evacuate New Zealanders from the region.
It said in a statement that government personnel and a C-130J Hercules aircraft would leave Auckland on Monday. The plane would take some days to reach the region, it said.
The government was also in talks with commercial airlines to assess how they may be able to assist, it added.
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Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Trump's go-it-alone strategy on Iran risks dividing an already split Congress
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's decision to launch a military strike on Iran's nuclear sites without fully consulting the US Congress layered a partisan approach onto a risky action, particularly because the White House briefed top Republican leaders beforehand while leaving Democrats with little information. While House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Republican leader John Thune and the GOP chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee all were briefed before the action, their counterparts were not. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer was given a perfunctory heads-up by the White House shortly before the strikes were made public. And House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries' office received a 'courtesy call' before Trump announced it. The so-called Gang of Eight congressional and intelligence leaders were not notified before the mission, according to two people familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. One, Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he learned of the strikes on social media, which he said 'is an uncomfortable thing for the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee.' 'Bad enough that we weren't informed,' Himes, of Connecticut, said Sunday on CNN, 'but unconstitutional that we didn't have the opportunity to debate and speak, as the representatives of the people, on what is one of the more consequential foreign policy things that this country has done in a long time.' It's a highly unusual situation that is complicating the difficult politics ahead for the president and his party as the US enters an uncertain national security era with the surprise military attack on the nuclear facilities, an unprecedented incursion in Iran. Trump faces a vote in Congress as soon as this week on a war powers resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, that would 'direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.' Another resolution has been introduced by lawmakers from both parties in the US House. And at least one Democrat, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, said Trump's actions are 'clearly grounds for impeachment.' At the same time, the Trump administration is expecting Congress to send an additional $350 billion in national security funds as part of the president's big tax breaks bill also heading soon for a vote. Senators are set to be briefed Tuesday behind closed doors on the situation in Iran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Sunday that the White House made 'bipartisan courtesy calls' to congressional leadership. She said in a social media post that the White House spoke to Schumer 'before the strike' but that House leader Jeffries 'could not be reached until after, but he was briefed.' While the president has authority as the commander in chief of the US armed forces to order specific military actions, any prolonged war-time footing would traditionally need authorization from Congress. The House and Senate authorized actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack. 'Congress should be consulted,' Kaine said on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' 'We were not.' As soon as Trump announced the actions late Saturday, he won swift support from the GOP leadership in Congress. Johnson, Thune and the Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, were all briefed ahead of time and sent almost simultaneous statements backing the military campaign, as did the House Intelligence Committee chairman, Rep. Rick Crawford, also of Arkansas. But by apparently engaging with only one side of the political aisle, Trump risks saddling his Republican Party with political ownership of the military action against Iran, which may or may not prove popular with Americans. Rather than rally the country to his side, Trump risks cleaving its already deep divisions over his second term agenda. Johnson, who praised Trump's action against Iran as 'the right call,' said the president's targeted strike was within his authority and in line with past presidential actions. 'Leaders in Congress were aware of the urgency of this situation and the Commander-in-Chief evaluated that the imminent danger outweighed the time it would take for Congress to act,' Johnson, R-Louisiana, said on social media. Trump himself has shown little patience for political dissent from within his party, even as criticism rolls in from among his most trusted backers. The Iran military campaign threatens to splinter Trump's Make America Great Again movement, which powered his return to the White House. Many Trump supporters aligned with his campaign promises not to involve the United States in overseas actions and instead to be a peace-making president. 'I think I represent part of the coalition that elected Trump,' said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, on CBS. 'We were tired of endless wars in the Middle East.' Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California have introduced their own war powers resolution in the House, a sign of how close the far left and far right have bonded over their opposition to US campaigns abroad, particularly in the Middle East. The Trump administration insisted Sunday the US is not seeking a war with Iran. 'We're not at war with Iran. We're at war with Iran's nuclear program,' said Vice President JD Vance on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' And Trump swiftly attacked Massie, who is one of the most steadfast non-interventionist GOP lawmakers in Congress — along with Sen. Rand Paul, also of Kentucky — and the president suggested he would turn his Republican Party against the congressman. 'MAGA should drop this pathetic LOSER, Tom Massie, like the plague!' the president said on social media. 'The good news is that we will have a wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I'll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard.'
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
What is behind the biggest surge in internal displacement ever recorded?
DUBAI: The world is witnessing a historic surge in displacement — not across borders, but within them. Ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, coupled with the escalating frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, continue to drive millions from their homes. By the end of 2024, more than 83.4 million people in the world were internally displaced — the highest number yet recorded. According to the 2025 Global Report on Internal Displacement, that figure has nearly doubled in just six years — the equivalent of displacing the entire population of Germany. More broadly, the latest figures from UNHCR's Global Trends Report 2025 show that the total number of forcibly displaced people worldwide — including refugees, asylum seekers, and those internally displaced — had reached 122.1 million by the end of April 2025, up from 120 million the year before. 'We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering,' said Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, responding to the figures. 'We must redouble our efforts to search for peace and find long-lasting solutions for refugees and others forced to flee their homes.' While Grandi highlighted the urgent need for global solutions, experts tracking internal displacement say the crisis is becoming increasingly entrenched within national borders. 'Internal displacement is where conflict, poverty, and climate collide, hitting the most vulnerable the hardest,' Alexandra Bilak, director of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, said in a statement. The latest figures reveal internal displacement is no longer just a humanitarian issue, she said, but a complex political and development challenge that continues to be overlooked. 'The data is clear — it's now time to use it to prevent displacement, support recovery, and build resilience,' Bilak said. The global surge in internal displacement was felt across every region in 2024, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement. An internally displaced person is someone forced to flee their home to escape conflict, persecution, or disaster. But unlike refugees, they remain within their country's borders. Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of this global surge, home to 38.8 million internally displaced persons — making up almost 46 percent of the global total. All 23 countries in the region that experienced conflict-related displacement also suffered from disaster-induced movements, compounding already dire humanitarian needs. In the Middle East and North Africa, conflict-related displacement also surged — particularly in the Gaza Strip, where conflict has raged since October 2023. About 2 million Palestinians were forced from their homes, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement. The Americas likewise showed a dramatic increase, with 14.5 million people forced to flee within their national boundaries. The US alone accounted for 11 million disaster-related movements — nearly a quarter of the global total for such events. In South Asia, disaster displacement nearly tripled, to 9.2 million, the region's second-highest figure in more than a decade. Conflict was the primary driver of internal displacement in 2024. In Sudan, the situation has deteriorated dramatically since fighting erupted there in April 2023. 'It has become the largest and most devastating displacement, humanitarian and protection crisis in the world today,' Tarik Argaz, a UNHCR representative, told Arab News. As of mid-2024, more than 12.4 million people had been displaced in Sudan — including 8.1 million internally and more than 4 million who had fled to neighboring countries. These figures are based on UNHCR's operational data collected during the continuing crisis. By April 2025, the scale of displacement had grown further. According to UNHCR's Global Trends Report, Sudan now represents the largest forced displacement crisis in the world, with a combined total of 14.3 million displaced people — including refugees and internally displaced people. 'Security remains the major challenge in many regions of Sudan,' Argaz said. 'Access to different areas continues to change due to the dynamic nature of the conflict.' Disasters also triggered a record 45.8 million new internal displacements — the highest since 2008. An overwhelming 99.5 percent of these were caused by climate-related events, particularly storms and floods. Argaz said climate change and displacement are becoming increasingly interconnected. 'Adverse effects of climate change and disasters have contributed to increased forced displacement over past decades,' he said. 'As extreme weather events and environmental conditions worsen with global heating, they are contributing to multiple and overlapping crises, increasing poverty and loss of livelihoods. 'The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre estimates that over 25 million people are forced to move due to disaster-related causes each year. 'The majority of people forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict and violence today live in countries that are highly vulnerable and ill-prepared to adapt to climate change.' • 83.4 million By the end of 2024, more than 83.4 million people in the world were internally displaced — the highest number yet recorded. • 9.2 million In South Asia, disaster displacement nearly tripled, to 9.2 million, the region's second-highest figure in more than a decade. Despite ongoing challenges, UNHCR continues to provide lifesaving support — including shelter, healthcare, psychosocial services, and cash assistance — while also working with regional partners to coordinate a broader response to displacement. In a rare sign of progress, 9.8 million forcibly displaced people returned home in 2024, including 1.6 million refugees — the most in more than two decades — and 8.2 million internally displaced persons — the second highest yet recorded. However, many of these returns occurred under difficult political and security conditions. A large number of Afghans, for example, were forced to return to Afghanistan in 2024, often arriving in dire circumstances. In countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and South Sudan, new displacements unfolded even as others returned. 'Even amid the devastating cuts, we have seen some rays of hope over the last six months,' said UN High Commissioner Grandi, referring to the recent reduction in aid funding by the US and other major Western donors. 'Nearly 2 million Syrians have been able to return home after over a decade uprooted. The country remains fragile and people need our help to rebuild their lives again.' Internally displaced persons should be afforded the same rights and freedoms as all other citizens and habitual residents of their country, Argaz said. 'Our advocacy efforts have been instrumental in supporting the protection of internally displaced persons on various fronts — from access to documentation, education, healthcare, and livelihoods, to promoting economic inclusion and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, which are often the root cause of displacement,' he said. Internally displaced persons often face a range of protection challenges that vary depending on the context. These typically include limited access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, water, and healthcare — particularly during emergencies and in protracted displacement situations. Many are also vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including gender-based violence. Long-term solutions such as return or local integration are still out of reach for millions. 'The cost of inaction is rising,' Bilak said. 'And displaced people are paying the price.'
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
What do we know about US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities?
DUBAI: Amid mounting speculation, the US launched air strikes on three of Iran's nuclear facilities on Saturday. The operation aimed to support Israel in its war against Iran — ongoing since June 13 — by crippling Tehran's uranium enrichment capacity, according to Asharq News. US President Donald Trump later announced that Iran's uranium-enrichment abilities had been eliminated, warning Tehran against any 'retaliatory response.' Tehran, however, described the damage as 'limited' and dismissed any indications of radiation leaks. The US strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, in an operation the top US general, General Dan Caine, said was named 'Operation Midnight.' Asharq News reported that the strikes targeted three critical nuclear facilities instrumental in Iran's nuclear fuel cycle: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear complex. These sites span the entire fuel-enrichment chain — from raw uranium conversion, through enrichment, to the production of fuel and technical components for research reactors. • The first B-2 bomber was publicly displayed on Nov. 22, 1988, but its first flight was on July 17, 1989. • The combat effectiveness of the B-2 was proved in the Balkans, where it was responsible for destroying 33 percent of all Serbian targets in the first eight weeks. • In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the B-2 flew one of its longest missions to date from Whiteman to Afghanistan and back. • The B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in Iraq, flying 22 sorties and releasing more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. Fordo facility Location and structure: Fordo is 30 kilometers northeast of Qom, embedded within a mountain at an altitude of approximately 1,750 m, with over 80 meters of rock and volcanic shielding — making it one of Iran's most fortified sites. Technical role: It houses two underground halls that can hold about 3,000 IR-1 centrifuges, enriching uranium up to 60 percent — a level nearing weapons -grade. Strategic importance: It is a primary target in any military effort to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear military capability, due to its high capacity and protection. Natanz reactor Location and structure: Situated near Kashan in central Iran, partially buried under about 8 meters of earth with a 220meter-thick concrete roof, naturally shielded by surrounding mountainous terrain. Technical role: Contains primary and experimental plants with over 14,000 centrifuges (IR-1, IR-2m, IR-4, IR-6), making it Iran's main industrial enrichment hub. Strategic importance: Responsible for producing most of Iran's low-enriched uranium and plays a key role in centrifuge development. Isfahan nuclear complex Location and structure: Located south of Isfahan on an arid plateau away from populated areas, it is neither buried nor heavily fortified. Technical role: Includes a Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF); a research reactor fuel production plant; and a metallic fuel pelletizing plant, and three research reactors. Strategic importance: Serves as the backbone of Iran's nuclear research and production infrastructure, supplying both Natanz and Fordo. The Pentagon used some of the world's most advanced aircraft for Saturday's strikes. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The bomber represents a major milestone in the US bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear anywhere on the globe through seemingly impenetrable defenses. According to US officials, the bombers that carried out the Iran strikes flew for nearly 37 hours non-stop from its Missouri base, refueling in mid-air multiple times before striking in the early hours of Sunday. A B-2 bomber offers several key advantages, primarily due to its stealth capabilities and global reach. • A range over 11,000 km without refueling, capable of global reach from distant American bases. • Stealth abilities such as flying-wing design and radar-absorbing materials that allow it to evade air defenses. • It can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons, including the GBU‑57 bunker-buster bomb. Initial reports quoted by Asharq News indicated that Fordo was hit with the GBU‑57, the most powerful US conventional bunker buster, designed for deeply buried targets like Fordo, which lies 90 meters underground. Fox News reported six bunker-busting bombs were dropped on Fordo, alongside approximately 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired at Natanz and Isfahan. The GBU‑57 'Massive Ordnance Penetrator' was designed by American military engineers to devastate deeply buried bunkers without radioactive fallout. It was the only nonnuclear weapon that could reach Iran's hardest target. • Weight: ~13,600 kg • Length: 6.2 meters. • Diameter: 0.8 meters. • Explosive payload: 2,400 kg of high explosives. • Guidance: GPS + inertial navigation. * Penetration: Up to 60 meters of reinforced concrete or dense rock. A Tomahawk cruise missile is a precision weapon that launches from ships, submarines and ground launchers and can strike targets precisely from a great distance, even in heavily defended airspace. • Range: 1,250–2,500 km depending on variant. • Speed: Subsonic (~880 km/h). • Guidance: Inertial navigation, GPS, with some variants using terminal guidance (TERCOM, DSMAC). • Warhead: ~450 kg conventional explosives. • Launch platforms: Ships and submarines. There has been a torrent of responses to the US move against Iran, Asharq News reported. President Trump declared the mission's success, stating that the Fordo facility was 'gone,' and Iran's primary nuclear enrichment sites 'completely and utterly destroyed.' Later on Sunday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were an incredible and overwhelming success that have 'obliterated Tehran's nuclear ambitions.' For its part, Iran's Tasnim News Agency quoted an official saying the nuclear sites had been evacuated in advance, and the damage was 'not irreparable.' The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated there was 'no risk of any radiation leak.' Iran emphasized its nuclear industry would not be halted.
