Tensions Escalate in Middle East as Israel Strikes Iran
Tensions Escalate in Middle East as Israel Strikes Iran
The Middle East is on high alert following a surprise Israeli attack on Iran early Friday morning. This dramatic escalation has prompted Iran to close its airspace and suspend all flights.
According to a report by Fars news agency, citing civilian aviation authorities, Iran has halted both domestic and international flights.
The Mehrabad Airport in Tehran was closed after the attack, with IRNA, Iran's state news agency, reporting that it will remain shut until Saturday afternoon.
The closures are not confined to Iran. Both Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, are also closed, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera also reports that numerous airlines have cancelled or postponed flights across the Middle East. Several nations have reportedly closed their airspace following Israel's airstrikes on Iran. Data from FlightRadar, as reported by Reuters, shows airspace above Iran, Iraq, and Jordan is empty with flights being diverted towards Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Impact on Iranian Hajj Pilgrims
The flight suspensions have ramifications for the Iranian pilgrims currently performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Reportedly over 85,000 Iranian pilgrims are undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
Arab News reports that Iranian pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia. Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization announced the suspension of all flights for Iranian pilgrims until further notice due to the closure of airspace following the series of Israeli airstrikes. Accommodation for those still in Saudi Arabia will be extended.
"Operations for the return of pilgrims will not proceed today due to the flight suspensions," the organization stated in a Friday announcement, according to AhlulBayt (ABNA) news agency. "Necessary information regarding the resumption of flights will be provided after an announcement from the relevant authorities," the statement added.
