IRAQ-CONFLICT: Iran closes its airspace to combat warplanes

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is from the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

TEHRAN, Mar 20 2003 (IPS) - Iran today announced that it has closed its airspace to US and any other foreign warplanes involved in the military onslaught against Iraq, the Iranian News Agency (IRNA) reported.

In a statement aired over Tehran radio, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Riza Assefi said the Iranian airspace was now closed to all warplanes taking part in the conflict.

He strongly urged all warring parties to avoid violating the Iranian airspace. Iran has repeatedly announced its opposition to military action against Iraq and said it would not allow the use of its airspace and territorial waters.