Iran closes western airspace after missile strikes on Israel

Iran closed the western part of its airspace on Sunday until further notice after launching missile attacks on Israel, the country’s civil aviation authority announced. The decision, based on security assessments, came hours after Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, which drew sharp Iranian reactions and a wave of missile attacks toward northern Israel.

Missile waves and damage

Hebrew media reported that Iran launched three waves of missiles Sunday evening in the first attack since a ceasefire took effect on April 8. Israel’s Channel 12 reported damage in the city of Tiberias after one of the barrages, which it said included four missiles. Air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv was also suspended. Iran’s army later said it targeted Israel’s Ramat David Airbase with ballistic missiles in response to what it described as Israeli “massacres” in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Escalation and retaliation

The Israeli army said it detected missile launches from Iran and activated air defence systems. Classes were cancelled nationwide, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN. An Anadolu correspondent reported explosions over Haifa and Nazareth as interceptors engaged incoming missiles. Israeli officials told KAN that Tel Aviv would respond, with one unnamed official telling Channel 12 that there was “no chance” Israel would avoid retaliation.