Iran Stops, Resumes Flights as Israeli Retaliation Threat Looms Large
Flight restrictions have been lifted in Iran after conditions were deemed safe, state media reported on Monday. This decision shortened the previously announced period of flight cancellations by the Civil Aviation Organisation, which were scheduled from 9 PM Sunday until 6 AM Monday.
A spokesperson for the organisation earlier stated that flights from all of Iran’s airports would be halted during that period. However, the restrictions were lifted hours before the original deadline.
“After ensuring favorable and safe flight conditions by the Civil Aviation Organisation, all announced restrictions are removed, and airlines are allowed to carry out flight operations,” state media said.
The flights were initially suspended due to operational restrictions, according to the spokesperson, who provided no further details.
Iran’s precautionary move coincided with the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, when Gaza-based terror group Hamas launched unprecedented armed incursions into southern Israel. Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister declared on Sunday that all options were open for retaliation against Iran.
Notably, Iran imposed flight restrictions on Tuesday, October 1, after it launched missile strikes on Israel. These strikes were in retaliation for the killing of commanders from Iran’s proxy groups, including former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
Israel vowed to retaliate for the strikes, stating that Iran “will pay for it.”
Hezbollah suffered a major blow when its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike in Beirut. Days before Nasrallah’s death, Israeli intelligence forces had launched sophisticated attacks targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices, which led to over 550 deaths.
