The secretariat of Tehran's top security body has dismissed reports that it is planning armed attacks on regional airports in response to recent airline restrictions. The Supreme National Security Council stated that while it is pursuing negotiations to lift "illegal" flight bans, it maintains a list of non-military retaliatory options that could be applied to specific airports if the disputes are not resolved.

The clarification follows threats from Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to the Supreme Leader, who warned that regional airspace must be open to all or none. This rhetoric emerged as US sanctions pressure led airports in the UAE and Iraq—including Najaf, Erbil, and Sulaimaniya—to suspend services for Iranian carriers. While flights to Oman have ceased and only a few operate to Iraq, Tehran continues to maintain connections to Turkey, China, Pakistan, Thailand, and Russia.