American civilian flights will be allowed to fly over much of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman again.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Saturday that airliners can again fly over the region after it imposed restrictions five weeks ago during heightened tensions with Iran.
The initial restrictions were implemented after Iran fired ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases holding U.S. troops and then, while on high alert, accidently shot down a civilian airliner over Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.
The FAA said that Iran has down-throttled its military posturing since then but still advised airliners to avoid operating near Iran and to exercise caution while flying in the region.
“There is sufficiently reduced risk of Iranian military miscalculation or misidentification that could affect U.S. civil aviation operations in the overwater airspace above the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman,” the FAA said. “The situation in the region remains fluid and could quickly escalate if circumstances change.”
Despite the apparent de-escalation, Iran has continued its bellicose rhetoric toward the United States and Israel.
Head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami said on Thursday his country is prepared to attack both the U.S. and Israel.
“If you make the slightest error, we will hit both of you,” Salami said.
