Austria denied the United States the use of its airspace for military flights related to the war in Iran, the Defense Ministry told APA on Thursday. The reason given was Austria’s neutrality law. The ministry spokesperson did not provide details on the number of requests, stating only that there had been “several.” Individual cases are being reviewed in coordination with the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
“That is genuine neutrality policy,” said ÖVP regional managing director Matthias Zauner. The SPÖ, meanwhile, called on the government to maintain its course. “Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) should not approve a single U.S. military flight toward the Gulf. Not even transport flights or other logistical support—just as Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland are doing,” said Lower Austria SPÖ state party leader Sven Hergovich.
On Monday, the Spanish government closed its airspace to military flights related to the war in Iran. Italy also reportedly denied several U.S. aircraft landing rights at a base in Sicily for operations against Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed anger that NATO members such as Italy and Spain were not supporting the war and, on Wednesday, threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO.
