Iran has announced the cancellation of all flights from its airports from 9 PM on Sunday, October 6, until 6 AM local time (0230 GMT) on Monday, October 7, due to “operational restrictions.” This decision was communicated by a spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization to state media. However, no further details were provided regarding the nature of these operational restrictions.
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel following Tehran’s missile attacks on Israel last week. On Tuesday, Iran launched around 200 missiles in a direct strike, marking its second attack on Israel this year. The Iranian government described this military action as retaliation for the killing of militant leaders aligned with Tehran and a senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
In response to these missile attacks, Israel has vowed to retaliate, although specific details about the timing or nature of its response remain unspecified.
The closure of Iranian airspace on Tuesday night, which lasted nearly two days, had previously grounded both domestic and international flights. Security concerns were cited as the primary reason for the temporary shutdown.
Adding to the uncertainty, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has advised airlines to avoid Iranian airspace until October 31, a directive that remains under review due to the volatile situation.
In light of fears regarding potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad visited Kharg Island on Sunday. Kharg Island is home to Iran’s largest oil export terminal and serves as a critical hub for the country’s oil industry. During the visit, Paknejad met with a senior commander from the Revolutionary Guards Navy to discuss the security of Iran’s essential oil and gas facilities.
Israel has not ruled out targeting Iran’s oil facilities as part of its response to the ongoing conflict. Iranian oil exports have surged to near multi-year highs, contributing to about 3% of global oil output, with China being the primary buyer despite U.S. sanctions. The Kharg Island terminal, which ships around 90% of Iranian oil exports, boasts a storage capacity of 23 million barrels of crude, further highlighting its importance to Iran’s economy.
Sources By Agencies
