Iraq reopens airspace to transit flights after brief halt amid Iran-US tensions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A security source said transit flights through Iraqi airspace resumed normal operations on Friday after a several-hour halt triggered by military tensions between Iran and the United States. The source said the airspace had not been formally closed and that scheduled services were not postponed. Transit operations initially restarted on a limited basis, limited to flights bound for Erbil International Airport, before returning to routine service across the country's airspace during the morning hours. The source described the situation as stable by Friday morning, with transit flights operating normally nationwide. The brief disruption came as Iran and the United States experienced a military escalation in recent hours, coinciding with security developments in areas near Iraq's borders. The source provided no further details on the nature of the escalation or its specific impact on Iraqi airspace operations.