Austria has formally refused all United States military overflight requests linked to the ongoing war against Iran, with the country’s defence ministry confirming the decision on Thursday in line with its constitutionally enshrined policy of neutrality.
A ministry spokesperson confirmed that the US had made “several” flyover requests, without specifying how many, and that all requests of a military nature relating to the conflict had been rejected. Officials clarified that the refusal does not constitute a blanket ban on all US military flights but applies specifically to operations directly connected to active combat.
Austrian law prohibits providing military support to any party engaged in an active armed conflict, and each request is refused in consultation with the ministry of foreign affairs. Austria has maintained a constitutionally enshrined policy of military neutrality since 1955, a status adopted after the Allied occupation following World War II ended, and is legally barred from joining military alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Sven Hergovich, head of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), which is part of the governing coalition, said the defence minister should “not approve a single further US military flight to the Gulf.”
Austria’s position adds to a widening pattern of European resistance. Switzerland also denied overflight permission to two US reconnaissance aircraft in connection with the Iran war in mid-March, though maintenance and transport flights unrelated to active combat were approved. Spain has blocked US fighter jets stationed in third countries from using its airspace, while the United Kingdom has allowed American aircraft to use British bases, namely Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford and Diego Garcia, though only for defensive operations.
US President Donald Trump criticised European members of the trans-Atlantic defence alliance for refusing US military aircraft permission to use their airspace, calling NATO a “paper tiger” and suggesting it was “beyond reconsideration” that the US would withdraw from the alliance.
It remains unclear whether the United States will formally respond to Austria’s decision or seek alternative transit routes through other European countries.
