EU aviation agency says Iran, Iraq airspace to be avoided
· RTE.ieThe European Union Aviation Safety Agency has said that airlines should not operate within the airspace of Iran and Iraq, amid ongoing tensions and the potential for further military action.
The EASA said its bulletin for the airspaces of Iran and Iraq was valid until 31 August.
The agency's previous bulletin, which expires today, included Lebanon.
It had also asked airlines to exercise caution when operating within the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia.
It comes after as hostilities resumed between the US and Iran following Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar has condemned strikes carried out by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain and called for diplomacy.
Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, said it "emphasises the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks", in a foreign ministry statement posted on X.
It also emphasised the need to "pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to de-escalate tensions, and to build upon the progress achieved under the memorandum of understanding".
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the new attacks by Iran and the United States have complicated talks to end the war.
"The exchanges of fire between the US and Iran further complicate already fraught talks to end the war. Iran's attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait are unacceptable," Ms Kallas said in a post on X.
"Next Monday, EU Foreign Ministers will meet with their Gulf counterparts to discuss how we can work together to support the implementation of the agreement and preserve freedom of navigation in the Strait as well as the Red Sea."
China also denounced the escalation in hostilities in the Middle East, with its foreign ministry warning both sides against "reigniting" the war.
"Reigniting the war is not in the interests of either side, and military means cannot solve the fundamental problems," foreign spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference, when asked about the strikes.