Several U.S. airlines have suspended flights between the United States and the Middle East due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
United Airlines announced it would pause its daily service between Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and Dubai, citing the ongoing conflict in the region. The airline has not provided a timeline for when flights may resume. Newark is the only U.S. airport from which United operates flights to Dubai.
American Airlines also confirmed a temporary suspension of flights between Philadelphia International Airport and Doha, Qatar. A spokesperson told CBS News that the pause will last through June 22. The last flight before the suspension departed Philadelphia early Thursday morning.
Delta Air Lines revealed last week it had halted flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv, Israel. This suspension is set to continue until at least August 31.
Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s primary airport, remains closed. Meanwhile, no U.S. airlines operate flights to Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, Iran’s largest airport. Other major international carriers—including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Lufthansa—have canceled some routes in the area, according to air travel news site AviationA2Z.
Flight operations in the region have been disrupted since Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran last week. The operation involves Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, following intelligence reports suggesting Iran’s progress toward developing nuclear weapons. In retaliation, Iran has launched multiple missile strikes.
Airspace over Israel, Jordan, Iran, and Iraq was closed after the operation began, and Israel’s Ministry of Transportation announced the airspace will remain shut until further notice.
In Washington, former President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and is reportedly considering whether to order U.S. military strikes to formally join Israel’s campaign, according to a senior intelligence official and a Defense Department source cited by CBS News. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Thursday that the president is expected to make a decision within two weeks.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem notified American citizens in Israel that the State Department is preparing to assist with the departure of private U.S. citizens. Some have already been evacuated via cruise ships.
The State Department recently raised its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4, the highest warning, urging Americans to avoid travel due to “armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest.” Iran remains under a “Do Not Travel” advisory because of threats including terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrests, and wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens.
