Amid reports of Israel’s retaliation, Iran on Friday lifted the suspension of flights hours after it was learnt that flight operations were suspended in several areas of the country including at Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz airports. The suspension was ordered after explosions were heard near the airport at the country’s central Isfahan city.
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Iranian state media Press TV earlier in the morning reported that outgoing flights from several Iranian airports have been cancelled.
Israel’s Retaliation Suspected
According to a report published by ABC News, this missile attack on Iran is suspected to be an Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy in Syria. The attack is speculated to be a response by Israel to Iran’s recent drone and missile attack.
The incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 am local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.
The semiofficial Fars news agency reported on the sound of explosions over Isfahan near its international airport. It offered no explanation. However, Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program. Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a loud noise near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.
Nuclear Facilities In Iran’s Isfahan ‘Completely Secure’
Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be “completely secure”, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported, citing “reliable sources”.
According to Iran’s local media, the country activated its air-defense system on Friday morning amid reports of missile and drone strikes by Israel. Israel fired a missile at an Iran airport, ABC News reported citing a US official.
Why Is Isfahan Strategically Important To Iran?
Notably, Isfahan is considered strategically important to Iran and is the location of several important facilities, including military research and development sites, as well as bases.
Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.
Most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.
Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel “must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests” as the UN secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a “moment of maximum peril.”
(With agency inputs)
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