JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane took an unusual route to New York on Thursday, skirting several European countries en route to the United Nations General Assembly.
Although France had authorized Israeli use of its airspace, according to a French diplomatic source who spoke to AFP, flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu’s aircraft instead took a southern path.
It crossed Greece and Italy, then veered south through the Strait of Gibraltar before heading across the Atlantic.
Britain, France and Portugal were among a string of countries to recognize a Palestinian state this week, a move Netanyahu bitterly opposes. Ireland and Spain announced their recognition in May.
Israeli media, meanwhile, reported that the detour by Netanyahu’s plane was intended to avoid countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which could enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in case of an emergency landing.
The ICC in November issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Spain last week announced it would support the ICC investigation and had set up a team to probe alleged human rights violations in Gaza, as part of its broader push to pressure Israel to end the war.
Netanyahu is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday. He is also slated to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House next week.
![]()
Netanyahu’s plane takes unusual route to UN summit
Short Url
https://arab.news/nwr6t
Netanyahu’s plane takes unusual route to UN summit
- Although France had authorized Israeli use of its airspace, flight-tracking data showed Netanyahu’s aircraft instead took a southern path
- It crossed Greece and Italy, then veered south through the Strait of Gibraltar
Iran Guards say will block oil exports as long as war continues
- Shipping traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil usually transits, has been severely disrupted
TEHRAN: Iranian forces will not allow the export of oil from the region to allies of the United States and Israel as long as the war continues, a Revolutionary Guards spokesman said Tuesday.
“The Iranian armed forces... will not allow the export of a single liter of oil from the region to the hostile side and its partners until further notice,” said Ali Mohammad Naini, according to a report from Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
He said any change would take place based on the conditions of the conflict.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran that killed its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a war that has spread across the Middle East.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and US interests across the region.
Shipping traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil usually transits, has been severely disrupted.
Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted oil tankers passing through the strategic waterway since the war began.
Oil prices have since risen dramatically to over $100 per barrel — the highest since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — before reversing course Monday after US President Donald Trump said military operations would be ending soon.
“Their efforts to reduce and control the price of oil and gas will be temporary and fruitless,” IRGC spokesman Naini said. “Trade in war conditions is hinged on security.”
The Revolutionary Guards late on Monday urged countries to expel their US and Israeli ambassadors to gain passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Any Arab or European country that expels the Israeli and American ambassadors from its territory will have complete freedom and authority to pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting tomorrow,” the Guards said, as quoted by Iranian state TV.
“The Iranian armed forces... will not allow the export of a single liter of oil from the region to the hostile side and its partners until further notice,” said Ali Mohammad Naini, according to a report from Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
He said any change would take place based on the conditions of the conflict.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran that killed its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a war that has spread across the Middle East.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and US interests across the region.
Shipping traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil usually transits, has been severely disrupted.
Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted oil tankers passing through the strategic waterway since the war began.
Oil prices have since risen dramatically to over $100 per barrel — the highest since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — before reversing course Monday after US President Donald Trump said military operations would be ending soon.
“Their efforts to reduce and control the price of oil and gas will be temporary and fruitless,” IRGC spokesman Naini said. “Trade in war conditions is hinged on security.”
The Revolutionary Guards late on Monday urged countries to expel their US and Israeli ambassadors to gain passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Any Arab or European country that expels the Israeli and American ambassadors from its territory will have complete freedom and authority to pass through the Strait of Hormuz starting tomorrow,” the Guards said, as quoted by Iranian state TV.
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.