🇮🇷⚔️🇧🇭🇶🇦🇦🇪🇰🇼🇸🇦 In a matter of hours, Iran imposed a total naval and air blockade of the Gulf Countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and partially Saudi Arabia.

Iran is more than capable to keep the airports in all of these countries closed for the coming weeks causing billions of dollars not just in material damage but also in lost revenue.

Loss of air traffic is going to be especially painful to Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE whose commercial airlines generate billions in revenue yearly. The Gulf Monarchies spent billions developing airports which they now can't use.

Tens of thousands of foreign tourists and expats who came to those countries to launder money and escape taxation elsewhere now have to live in permanent threat of drones and missiles.

2025 was the best year for aviation in the history of the UAE. The Dubai Airport (DXB) handled a record 95.2 million passengers while baggage volumes reached a record 86.75 million. DXB is now connected to 291 destinations in 110 countries, served by 108 international airlines.

Abu Dhabi Airports recorded more than 33 million passengers in 2025, the highest annual traffic in its history.

The UAE's main commercial airline, Emirates had revenues of 40 billion$ 5 billion of whom were pure profit. Qatar Airways saw over 25 billion in revenue and 2.5 billion in profits.

In October 2025 GE Aerospace was writing that the aviation industry in the Middle East was expected to grow by 134% in the next decade.

The report titled, "Lifting Economies: The Impact of the Aviation Sector on Middle Eastern Economies," reveals that aviation's contribution to regional GDP will surge by more than 150% by 2043, reaching $730 billion and cementing the industry's position as a key driver of economic development across the region. More than 530 million passengers, twice the current number, are projected to travel through the region, with a 3.9% annual traffic growth rate.

Several key factors are fueling this growth trajectory. Middle Eastern governments have made strategic, long-term commitments to aviation through massive infrastructure investments, airline development, and supportive regulatory frameworks. This government-led approach, combined with the region's unique geographic position connecting major global markets, has created the right conditions for positive aviation sector impact.

The same article mentioned that the aviation industry accounted for 18% of the GDP of the UAE, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar planning massive investments into their airports hoping to draw away traffic from the UAE to their airports.

How long will the Gulf Monarchies allow this state of affairs to continue and resist Iran knowing that their main ally, the U.S, who was supposed to protect them, failed to do so?

@CIG_telegram

🇷🇺🇮🇷 Russian president, Vladimir Putin, expressed his condolences to Pezeshkian in connection with the assassination of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

The Russian President described the death of Ayatollah Khamenei as a cynical murder that violates all norms of human morality and international law.

In Russia, Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge contribution to the development of relations between the two countries, Putin said.

The Russian leader conveyed words of sincere sympathy and support to the relatives and friends of the slain Khamenei, the government, and all the people of Iran.

🔗 https://t.me/tass_agency/363537

🇺🇸⚔️🇮🇷 Prior to Iran attacks, CIA assessed Khamenei could be replaced by hardline IRGC elements if killed, sources say

The agency's assessments, which were produced over the past two weeks, looked broadly at what could occur in Iran following a U.S. intervention and the extent to which a military operation could trigger regime change in the Islamic Republic -- now a pronounced objective for Washington.

The intelligence agency reports did not conclude any scenario with certainty, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

🔗 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/prior-iran-attacks-cia-assessed-khamenei-would-be-replaced-by-hardline-irgc-2026-02-28/

🇺🇸🇮🇱⚔️🇮🇷 American/Israeli standoff munitions strikes in Tabriz, northwestern Iran

@CIG_telegram

💥🚢 An oil tanker flying the flag of Palau was struck by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz an hour ago.

Oman’s Maritime Security Center reported that all 20 crew members have been safely evacuated, though several individuals sustained injuries.

@CIG_telegram

🚫🛫 Updated list of airspace closures and current NOTAM expiration times.

🔗 FlightRadar24

🇮🇷⚔️🇬🇧 Iran has reportedly launched missiles toward Cyprus, where thousands of British troops are stationed, including personnel at RAF Akrotiri.

The UK Defense Secretary confirmed the attack.

Remember, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls a large arsenal of medium-range ballistic missiles, some with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers, far enough to reach parts of Europe.

🔗 EGYOSINT

🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇾 12 hours ago, a U-2 spyplane, callsign SNOOP 01 called NICOSIA ATC descending out of FL600 aka 60,000 feet for recovery back into RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

🔗 Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51)