Iran suspends flights, closes airspace to Kurdistan Region ahead of referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iranian authorities have announced the closure of their airspace to the Kurdistan Region at the request of the Iraqi government.

On Sunday, Keivan Khosravi, the spokesperson of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that the Iranian government has suspended all flights between the Kurdistan Region's airports to Iran.

Iranian airspace is closed to flights coming from the Region’s Sulaimani and Erbil Airports.

The Iranian official claimed the suspension of flights and airspace restriction came at the request of the Iraqi authorities.

Khosravi stated that the authorities in Kurdistan Region insist on holding an independence referendum despite Iran’s diplomatic efforts to dissuade them.

Editing by G.H. Renaud