Austria rejects US request to use airspace for Iran operations
The Austrian defence ministry said it has refused to let the US use its airspace to launch military operations against Iran, citing the country’s longstanding policy of military neutrality.
A ministry spokesperson said Washington had made “several” requests to use their airspace, adding that each case would be assessed individually, instead of imposing a blanket ban on US overflights.
Austria joins Spain and Italy in being vocal about denying the US bombers permission to use their military bases or airspaces during the conflict.
A US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in southwest England on 15 March 2026 (Henry Nicholls / AFP)