Temporary flight restrictions have been issued in Tehran ahead of a funeral procession on Thursday for assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. The notice issued by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation restricts flight movements within a 2-kilometer (0.6-mile) circle radius centered at the University of Tehran. Flight restrictions will be in place from 6 a.m. local time (10:30 p.m. ET Wednesday) until 10:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. ET Thursday), according to the notice.
Haniyeh’s funeral procession will be held from the University of Tehran towards the capital’s Azadi Square, Iran’s semi-official news agency Mehr News said. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will lead funeral prayers Thursday morning, according to Iran’s state-run PressTV news outlet.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization regularly issues Notice to Air Missions across the country, which alert pilots to issues that impact flight operations. But the one in place for Thursday specifically restricts flights in the airspace surrounding where Haniyeh’s funeral procession is due to take place and within the same frame.