TEHRAN: Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation announced the suspension of flights at some airports across the country on Sunday, citing “operational restrictions” as Israel vows to retaliate against an Iranian missile strike last week.
According to state media reports, the flight cancellations will be in effect from 9:00 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) on Sunday, October 6, until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, October 7. Jafar Yazarloo, the aviation body’s spokesman, confirmed the decision through the IRNA state news agency but did not specify which airports would be affected.
The flight suspension comes just days after Iran launched a barrage of 200 missiles at Israel, in retaliation for the targeted killing of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders and a senior Iranian general in the region. Israel has since vowed to respond to the attack, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
Iran had briefly closed its airspace earlier in the week, grounding both domestic and international flights for nearly two days. The airspace reopened on Thursday morning, but security concerns have remained high, particularly amid Israel’s warnings of retaliation.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised European airlines to avoid Iranian airspace until at least October 31. The advisory is part of broader precautions taken in light of the unstable security situation.
Earlier today, Iranian media reported that Iran has prepared a plan to respond to any potential Israeli attack following Tehran’s retaliatory missile strike against it last week.
“The plan for the necessary response to a possible action by the Zionists (Israel) has been fully prepared,” Tasnim news agency said, quoting “an informed source” in the armed forces.
This development follows Tuesday’s missile strike, in which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired 200 missiles at Israeli targets. Iran’s retaliatory missile barrage came after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, heightening tensions between the two adversaries.
The missile barrage, described by Iranian officials as a significant show of force, marked Iran’s second direct military strike against Israel. It came after an Israeli air raid killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and senior IRGC general Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut. The strike was also in response to the killing of Palestinian group Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July, an attack widely attributed to Israeli forces.
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The Iranian response highlighted its capacity to retaliate, with Tasnim stating, “We can level to the ground any place it desires.” The source warned that should Israel initiate further attacks, an Iranian counterstrike would be swift and decisive.
Meanwhile, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad made a high-profile visit to the Kharg Island oil facilities on Sunday. Kharg Island is the primary hub for Iran’s crude oil exports, and the visit came amid growing concerns over possible Israeli strikes on the nation’s oil infrastructure.
Israel’s threats to target vital Iranian sites have caused international alarm, with US President Joe Biden advising Israel against such actions.
Speaking to state television, Paknejad downplayed fears of an imminent crisis, calling his visit a routine business trip. However, his meeting with senior IRGC naval officials in the region underscored the strategic importance of ensuring the security of Iran’s oil platforms. He commended the Revolutionary Guards for their “continuous efforts” in safeguarding these critical assets.
Tensions further escalated after Israel announced it was “preparing a response” to the missile attack launched by Iran earlier in the week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Saturday of a “proportional and similar reaction” if Israel were to strike Iran.
Araghchi vowed that Iran’s retaliation would not only match the severity of any Israeli assault but could be even stronger.
International observers are increasingly concerned that this confrontation between Israel and Iran could spiral into a broader regional conflict, threatening stability in the Middle East and impacting global oil markets.
Following the Israeli threats and rising tensions, oil prices surged last week, prompting further diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation.
US President Joe Biden has been actively involved in discussions with Israel, warning on Friday against targeting Iranian oil facilities. While Biden acknowledged Israel’s concerns, he urged the country to seek “other alternatives” to military strikes.
