• Israeli airstrikes on Iran have led to extensive airspace closures in several countries.
• Major airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have canceled numerous flights due to the violence.
• Iran has pledged retaliation, vowing to respond forcefully to the attacks.

Iraq has closed its airspace and suspended all air traffic following Israel's military operation against Iran, marking one of the most significant escalations between the two nations in recent decades. Israel confirmed targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the Natanz enrichment facility, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the operation would continue "as many days as it takes to remove this threat," according to Indiatimes.

The airstrikes have prompted various airlines to cancel flights across the Middle East, with Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Air India among those affected. Major air corridors have become non-operational as airspace was closed over Israel, Iran, and surrounding countries such as Jordan and Iraq, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

The scale of disruptions is significant: Airlines such as Air Arabia have suspended operations to ten destinations, spanning Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and beyond. Several flights scheduled for both days have been cancelled or significantly delayed, reflecting the chaos resulting from these military actions, as reported by Indiatimes and AA.

In retaliation, Iran has stated that it would launch hundreds of drones toward Israel as consequences for the airstrikes. Iranian officials have warned of a "severe and powerful response," with Defense Minister Hussein Dehqan claiming that Israel will face significant repercussions for its actions, according to Business Insider and CBS News.

The implications for international aviation are extensive, with not only Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport shut down but also multiple cancellations and reroutes disrupting global air travel routes. Flight tracking data demonstrated a noticeable absence of air traffic over affected areas, as airlines prioritized safety in response to the heightened tensions, according to Business Insider and AA.