Iran issues a notice to airmen through its NOTAM system announcing that it plans rocket launches in various areas across its southern regions on Thursday, according to information displayed on the US Federal Aviation Administration website.

According to a report by The Times of Israel in February 18, 2026, this development occurs immediately after Iran conducted extensive navy drills this week in the Strait of Hormuz, where its forces practiced a range of naval operations and defensive maneuvers designed to protect vital maritime routes.

Furthermore, Iran intends to carry out a joint naval exercise with Russia on Thursday, bringing together warships and personnel from both nations to demonstrate coordinated capabilities in the region.

The notice emerges against a backdrop of significantly heightened tensions with the United States, which has recently deployed multiple warships near Iranian waters to monitor activities and project power in the Persian Gulf.

US Vice President JD Vance publicly stated that Washington actively weighs whether to maintain ongoing diplomatic engagement with Tehran or shift toward alternative approaches that could include stronger measures.

The NOTAM system serves as an essential mechanism that delivers critical safety information to pilots, flight crews, air traffic controllers, and other airspace users worldwide.

It ensured that they receive advance warnings about potential hazards such as temporary airspace restrictions, military exercises, or missile activities that could endanger civilian aviation.

By publishing this particular notice, Iranian authorities formally alert international aviation stakeholders to the planned rocket launches, thereby reducing the risk of unintended incidents involving commercial or private aircraft operating in or near the affected zones.

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