Key Takeaways from Israel's Recent Airstrikes on Iran

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah (LH) has reached new levels of intensity, marked by recent airstrikes by Israel on Iranian military targets.  

The death toll continues to rise. As of Oct. 14, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 1,400 people and injured approximately 7,500 others since Israel intensified its campaign against LH Sept. 23.  Infrastructure has been damaged, particularly in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, and occasionally further south. In particular, the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria remains closed to traffic after Israeli airstrikes damaged roads in the area Oct. 4.

The airstrikes on Iran on Oct. 26 were ostensibly a retaliation for the Oct. 1 Iranian missile attacks on Israel. They reportedly targeted dozens of Iranian air defense systems and ballistic missile factories in at least three provinces, including Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran. The airstrikes possibly increased Iran’s vulnerability to further attacks, while at the same time curtailing Tehran’s ability to supply long-range weapons systems to allies and proxies in the region and beyond. The air strikes nevertheless raise concerns about further regional destabilization. 

The escalation of the Israel-Hizballah conflict has implications for security measures, business operations, and travel in the region. As the conflict intensifies, heightened security measures should be expected, as well as travel restrictions.  

In Israel, amid a seemingly rising threat of more frequent and severe cross-border fire from LH, the Israeli cabinet declared a "special situation" across the country Sept. 23, which granted officials emergency authorization to impose various restrictions to ensure public safety. For example, in Central Israel and Jerusalem, gatherings are limited to 30 people in open spaces and 300 people in closed spaces.

At border crossings, heightened security is in place, leading to disruptions to transport and business operations in the area. Cross-border strikes may also disrupt the functioning of utilities and telecommunications networks. Authorities in Israel, Lebanon, or other targeted regions may impose further emergency measures, including movement restrictions or shelter-in-place orders, on short notice in response to conflict developments.

Air travel restrictions continue to be of concern. During the Oct. 26 airstrikes, Iran closed its airspace as a precaution, resulting in residual delays. Turkiye-based carriers Pegasus (PC) and Turkish Airlines (TK) have also suspended flights to Iran until at least Nov. 1. Meanwhile, Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) remains operational, but the conflict has prompted all foreign airlines to cancel flights to BEY. Additional strikes could lead to further flight disruptions.  

Travelers to the region must, therefore, remain vigilant and flexible with their plans. The heightened security threat necessitates a reconsideration of travel itineraries, including maintaining accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Avoid nonessential travel to Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, particularly the shared border region, as well as to Iran, until the situation stabilizes.