Austria declines US request to use airspace for operations linked to Iran

VIENNA: Austria has turned down a United States request to use its airspace for military operations connected to Iran, with the Austrian Defence Ministry saying the decision was based on the country’s neutrality law.

According to Austrian public broadcaster ORF, a spokesperson for the ministry said Washington had made several requests, though the exact number was not disclosed. The spokesperson said each request would be examined separately in coordination with the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

Austria, which has long followed a policy of military neutrality, has not introduced a blanket prohibition on US overflights. Instead, the ministry said such requests are being considered individually.

Opposition party backs current position

The opposition Social Democratic Party (SPO) also urged the government to continue with its present approach. Sven Hergovich, head of the SPO in Lower Austria, said Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner should not permit any further US military flights connected to the Gulf.

Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner (OVP) should not approve a single further US military flight to the Gulf. Nor should she approve any transport flights or other logistical support. Just as Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland are doing. This war is damaging Austrian economic interests, Europe as a whole, and world peace,

Earlier this week, Spain reportedly shut its airspace to military flights tied to the conflict, while Italy refused requests from US aircraft to land at a base in Sicily.

Wider regional conflict

The developments come amid an ongoing military confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The US and Israel have continued an air offensive on Iran since February 28. More than 1,900 people have been killed so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks aimed at Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states hosting US military assets. Those strikes have caused casualties and damage to infrastructure, while also affecting global markets and aviation.

The Austrian Defence Ministry’s position indicates that while Vienna is not imposing a total ban on American overflights, it is maintaining scrutiny over requests in line with its neutrality framework. The ministry spokesperson’s remarks, as cited by ORF, suggest that any future applications will continue to be reviewed one by one together with the Foreign Ministry.

The SPO’s intervention adds domestic political backing for the current policy, with the opposition arguing that Austria should avoid facilitating military activity linked to the conflict. The comments also placed Austria alongside other European countries that have taken restrictive steps regarding military flights associated with the crisis.