The ongoing Middle East crisis, particularly the conflict involving Israel and Iran, has indirectly benefited the Taliban financially. With many airlines rerouting flights to avoid Iranian and Syrian airspace, Afghan airspace has seen a surge in usage. Overflight fees are generating significant revenue for the Taliban, with airlines paying up to $700 per flight to cross Afghanistan. This marks a sharp increase from the restrictions imposed after the Taliban's takeover in 2021. Airlines such as Swiss Air, British Airways, and Lufthansa have resumed using the Afghan corridor as a safer alternative.

This development comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where conflicts pose risks to passenger safety, especially for planes flying through volatile regions like Iran. As a result, Afghanistan has become a preferred option for avoiding the danger zones despite its own political uncertainties.

If flights continue at their current rate, the Taliban could earn about $50 million annually from these overflight fees, providing a much-needed boost to their strained budget. However, the decision to use Afghan airspace remains a calculated risk for airlines given the ongoing security concerns.

This shift highlights how geopolitical events can alter global aviation routes and financial dynamics, with Afghanistan now emerging as an unlikely beneficiary of the Middle East conflict.