Iran’s civil aviation authority has closed the country’s airspace indefinitely as civilian flights are rerouted around Tehran. This closure follows Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military sites, which were launched early Saturday in retaliation for a recent missile barrage from Iran targeting Israel.
Residents in Tehran reported multiple loud explosions during the night, with state-run media initially attributing the blasts to the activation of air defense systems. At least seven explosions were noted by locals, reflecting significant military activity in the area.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they completed three waves of targeted strikes, stating, “In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran.” They further warned that Iran would face serious consequences if it escalated the conflict.
Also Read: Israel Strikes Iran in Response to Ballistic Missile Attack
In response, a semi-official Iranian news agency indicated that Iran would deliver a “proportional reaction” to the Israeli strikes. Iranian officials claimed their air defense systems intercepted the Israeli attacks across Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces, leading to only limited damage in certain areas.
The regional tensions have escalated since Iran’s missile attack on October 1, when approximately 200 missiles were launched at Israel, resulting in one fatality in the West Bank. In addition, Syria reported intercepting “hostile objects” in its airspace, indicating a wider regional impact from the conflict.
This military escalation follows diplomatic efforts by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has urged Israel to avoid direct conflict over Iranian nuclear sites. The White House acknowledged the Israeli strikes, with National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett noting the “targeted strikes” on Iranian military locations, but did not provide further comments. The strikes were executed after extensive security discussions, including a call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden.
