A Syrian farmer looks at an Iranian missile that fell into an agricultural land in the area of Najha, in the countryside of the Syrian capital after being intercepted by Israeli air defense systems on June 8, 2026. Iraq and Syria closed their airspace as a safety precaution on June 7 after their eastern neighbour Iran launched missiles across their territory towards targets in Israel. In a brief statement, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority reported the closure of Iraqi airspace for 72 hours. Syria's authority closed the country's "southern air corridors" for 12 hours.
Iran attacked American bases in Jordan and Bahrain on Wednesday, warning its Gulf neighbours that they had a "responsibility" to stop the United States and Israel from using their territory to strike the Islamic republic.
The strikes came after the US carried out attacks on Iran in response to the downing of an American helicopter, straining a ceasefire that took effect in April.
The exchange drew international calls for restraint on the eve of the World Cup, which the US is co-hosting and Iran is participating in.
It has also cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's claim that negotiations on an enduring settlement to end the Middle East war were in their "final throes".
