Iranian authorities have closed their country’s airspace to flights from Iraq amid a sharp escalation of tension in the Middle East, according to Clash Report and POLITICO.

Iran has imposed restrictions on the use of its airspace for flights from Iraq.

The decision was made amid growing risks to civil aviation and reports of a possible military escalation in the region.

The closure is seen as a preventive security measure and could affect the routes of international airlines using this corridor for their transit flights.

Meanwhile, the UK decided on Wednesday to evacuate its diplomatic staff from the Iranian capital city of Tehran.