Israel and Iran keep airspace closed amid military escalation; Jordan reopens skies
The airspace over Israel and Iran remained closed on Sunday due to intensifying military tensions between the two nations. However, Jordan has reopened its airspace after a temporary closure.
Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, its main international terminal, remained shut with all flights suspended until further notice, according to the Israel Airports Authority. The country's airspace has been closed since it launched attacks on Iran on Friday.
🇮🇱🇮🇷 Urgent: Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv is closed for departures and landings until further notice, according to Israel's Airports Authority. #Israel ✈️
Similarly, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation confirmed its airspace closure would remain in effect until at least 3pm, local time on Sunday, advising passengers to avoid airport visits, an Iranian publication reported.
Meanwhile, Jordan, which lies geographically between the two adversaries, has reopened its airspace.
Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission Decides to Reopen Airspace #QNAhttps://t.co/NqjwjmF3Vk pic.twitter.com/1X92Fu5lTu
The Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said the decision followed a comprehensive reassessment of regional security and airspace risks.
On the other hand, Iran activated its air defences in several regions on Saturday and Israel told its citizens to take shelter ahead of a fresh barrage of missiles, as the arch-foes exchanged massive strikes in their fiercest confrontation in history.
The fresh attacks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hit "every target of the regime", and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned further strikes would draw "a more severe and powerful response".
Amid growing global calls for de-escalation, a new round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran scheduled for Sunday was cancelled, with Iran saying it could not negotiate while under attack from Israel.
Israel's operation, which began early Friday, targeted Iran's air defences and hit key nuclear and military sites, killing dozens of people, including top army commanders and atomic scientists, according to Tehran.