Iranian airports shut until Monday morning amid rising tensions

NEW DELHI: Multiple Iranian airports, including Iranian capital Tehran's Imam Khomeini international airport, have suspended flights until Monday morning, Iranian state media reported.
"All flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport have been cancelled until 6am (0230 GMT) following an announcement by Iran's civil aviation organisation," the airport's executive told the Iranian Student News Agency.
According to Iran's airports and air navigation company, domestic flights from various airports across the country, such as Tehran's Mehrabad Airport and those in Shiraz, Isfahan, Bushehr, Kerman, Ilam, and Sanandaj, have also been cancelled until Monday morning due to the closure of Iran's western airspace to flights.
In response to Israel's bombing of its consulate in Syria on April 1, Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel throughout Saturday night and into Sunday. This escalation in tensions has raised concerns about a potential Israeli counterattack against Tehran.
The ongoing situation has also impacted major airlines throughout the Middle East, with some announcing flight cancellations and others having to alter their routes to avoid the affected airspace.