On Friday, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an advisory to airlines to steer clear of Iranian airspace, following threats of US attacks that have heightened the Islamic republic's vigilance.

"Given the ongoing situation and the potential for US military action, which has placed Iranian air defense forces on a heightened state of alert, there is currently an increased likelihood of misidentification," the regulator said.

EASA also warned air operators to "exercise caution and implement contingency planning" for any flights within the airspace of neighboring countries, particularly those that contain US military bases.

"In the event of a US intervention, the possibility of retaliatory actions against its assets in the region cannot be excluded, which could introduce additional risks to the airspace of neighboring countries where the US military bases are located," the advisory warned.

Protests linked to the cost of living broke out in Iran on December 28, spiraling into one of the largest protest movements against the clerical leadership since the Islamic republic was founded in 1979.

Source: AFP/JERUSALEM POST