Armenian airport becomes holding point for stranded Azerbaijani passengers after Iranian airspace shutdown

The closure of Iranian and several neighbouring countries' airspace has disrupted international flight routes, forcing emergency landings across the region and leaving Azerbaijani nationals stranded at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan.

The Armenian National Security Service confirmed that the disruption left passengers stranded in unexpected locations, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media. 

Specifically, Armenian citizens and ethnic Armenians found themselves temporarily grounded at Baku International Airport in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani nationals were similarly stranded at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan. 

Armenian authorities noted that relevant state institutions are actively working to manage the situation and ensure appropriate coordination and support for affected travellers.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched a strike against Iran, citing growing concerns over its nuclear programme. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Iran possesses enough enriched uranium to produce several nuclear bombs within days, calling the situation an “imminent threat” that required immediate action.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strike as a preemptive move, warning that it may be followed by retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and its civilian population in the near future. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would not halt its military campaign until it inflicts significant damage on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile production facilities, and broader military capabilities. Meanwhile,

US President Donald Trump - who had previously threatened Iran with bombing if it refused to negotiate a nuclear deal - commented on June 13 that Iran still has “a second chance” to strike an agreement. He clarified that US forces were not involved in Israel’s operation and emphasized that the strike did not come as a surprise to Washington. Russia’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of choosing escalation and “raising the stakes.” The ministry urged all sides to avoid a full-scale war in the region and stressed that any solution to Iran’s nuclear programme must be found through diplomatic means.

By Naila Huseynova