Lufthansa Suspends Flights to Iraq and Iran

The German group "Lufthansa" announced the suspension of its flights over Iraqi and Iranian airspace until August 7 due to rising tensions in the region. Lufthansa stated in a press release that "based on its current security assessment, it will not utilize Iranian and Iraqi airspace until August 7." The statement added that flights to Amman and Erbil will be suspended until the same date, and those destined for Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Beirut will be suspended until August 12. The statement noted that "travelers who are not affected by the cancellations and have booked to the aforementioned destinations by the travel date of August 20 can cancel their bookings free of charge on the basis of waiver of travel." Many airlines are avoiding Iranian and Lebanese airspace and are canceling their flights to Israel, Lebanon, and Iran amid growing concerns about potential escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, following the assassination of the head of the political bureau of Hamas and a high-ranking leader of Hezbollah last week.