Israeli, Iranian, and most of Iraqi airspace remains closed amid a rapid escalation in tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv, which began with an Israeli missile attack on multiple targets in Iran on June 13. Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel prompted the latter's carriers to reposition their aircraft abroad for safety.

Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon also suspended flight operations initially but have since reopened their respective airspace.

Israel's airspace will remain closed until at least 2359L (2059L) on June 17. Flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines said that all of its flights will remain suspended at least until June 20, but many routes are already paused until June 23. Privately owned rivals Arkia Israeli Airlines and Israir said they would communicate their plans as circumstances develop. Arkia cancelled all flights up to and including June 21.

Tehran has closed its airspace at least until 0200L on June 17 (2230Z on June 16). Iraqi airspace will be shut until at least 2200L (1900Z) on June 16, except for two short routes connecting Basrah with the Kuwaiti border. Iraqi Airways is operating flights from the southern city during daytime only while Baghdad remains closed.

While Jordan reopened its airspace, allowing Royal Jordanian to restart inbound flight operations already on June 13, the country currently requires operators entering its airspace to carry enough fuel for an additional 30 minutes of flights in case diversions are necessary. MEA - Middle East Airlines and Syrianair are currently operating their scheduled flights, albeit with detours required to bypass closed airspace.

Amid the risk of missile attacks on airports, Israeli carriers have repositioned multiple aircraft abroad, despite the airspace closure. ch-aviation analysis of Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that most of El Al's aircraft simply did not return to Israel after their outbound flights on June 12-13, or were diverted to Larnaca or Paphos during the return flight. All four B737-800s that the airline wet-leases from KlasJet are currently outside Israel: three were ferried to Bucharest Baneasa on June 13, and one was diverted to Paphos on its last scheduled return flight to Tel Aviv.

The entire in-house fleets of Arkia and Israir are now based out of Cyprus (except for a single A320-200 operated by Israir parked at Athens), and all aircraft previously wet-leased by the airlines have returned to their respective home countries. The most prominent Israeli government aircraft, B767-300ER 4X-ISR (msn 30186), flew from Tel Aviv to Athens on June 13.

On the Iranian side, Israel reportedly targeted Tehran Mehrabad airport, but there is no confirmation of any aircraft being damaged. The Israeli army also said that it destroyed an air-to-air tanker operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, most likely a B707-300C or a B747-100(SF), at Mashad airport.