Iran resumes flights after suspension: State media

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian authorities on Monday announced the resumption of flights hours after it canceled flights at some airports, state media reported, amid concerns of Israeli retaliation for the Iranian missile attack.

State media IRNA citing Iranian Civil Aviation Organization spokesperson Jafer Yazarloo  reported that the flights will resume “according to their scheduled plans.”

On Sunday, the aviation authority announced the suspension of flights in some airports for several hours due to “operational limitations.”

This comes amid boiling tension in the Middle East and concerns of a possible Israeli retaliatory strike on Iran.

In an unprecedented move on Tuesday, Iran launched around 180 rockets at Israel.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan.

Israel has vowed a response and increased operations in Lebanon, and strikes in Syria on the premise of targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah and other groups.

“Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message after the Iranian attack.

Following the attack, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country does not seek war with Israel and warned that further attacks will not be tolerated by Tehran. 

“Based on legitimate rights, and with the aim of peace and security for Iran and the region, a decisive response was given to the aggressions of the Zionist regime. This action was in defense of the interests and citizens of Iran,” Pezeshkian said in a post on X hours after the attack.

He added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “should know that Iran is not war-seeking but stands firmly against any threat. This is only a glimpse of our capabilities. Do not engage in conflict with Iran.”