Khaberni - The French airline "Air France" and the Dutch airline "KLM" announced on Friday evening the temporary suspension of their flights to several destinations in the Middle East, including Dubai and Tel Aviv, amidst escalating tensions and fears of a US strike on Iran.
"Air France" stated in a release, "Given the current situation in the Middle East, the company has decided to temporarily suspend its flights to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates," noting that it continuously monitors the geopolitical developments in the regions served and traversed by its aircraft to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for its flights.
The company canceled two flights from Paris to Dubai, "AF 660" and "AF 658" on Friday, resulting in two additional cancellations from Dubai to Paris scheduled for Saturday on these two aircraft.
In turn, Israel's Channel 12 reported that "Air France" canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until Sunday without prior warning, causing surprise in Israel.
Similarly, the Dutch airline "KLM" announced the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai, as well as to Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, according to what was reported by the Dutch television network "NOS".
"KLM" did not disclose the reason for its decision but indicated that it was made in coordination with the Dutch authorities.
On Monday, the "Lufthansa" group announced the suspension of its flights to and from Tehran until March 29, along with imposing restrictions on its flights to the Middle East, against the backdrop of protests and tensions in Iran and the US threatening to strike Iran.
Additionally, the French Press Agency quoted a spokesperson for the group stating that its subsidiary, "Austrian Airlines," will also suspend its flights to the Iranian capital until February 16.
US Pressure
The United States has continued to exert pressure on Iran in recent days, and on Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that an American military fleet is heading towards the Gulf.
Trump had repeatedly threatened to strike Iran in response to what he called the "suppression" of recent protests in the country, before it appeared he withdrew this threat last week, after confirming that Tehran had suspended the executions that were supposed to be carried out against protestors.
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) reported that the aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln," which was stationed in the South China Sea, is currently heading to the Gulf region.
Pressure from the United States and its ally Israel on Tehran has been mounting since the start of popular protests in Iran at the end of December 2025, protesting against the deteriorating economic and living conditions, while statements from American and Israeli officials revealed aspirations to overthrow the Iranian regime established since 1979.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported last week that there are estimates in Israel suggesting the possibility of a US attack on Iran "in the coming days".
