Cancelation of flights at Tehran Airport extended amid heightened tensions

By Syed Zafar Mehdi

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) - The cancelation of flights at Mehrabad International Airport in the Iranian capital Tehran has been extended until 12:00 p.m. local time (0830GMT) on Sunday.

The public relations department of the Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company made the announcement in a statement on Sunday amid heightened tensions and high alert.

According to an earlier notice, flights had been canceled at the oldest Iranian airport located in southwest Tehran between 2:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday in response to the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

The attack, which killed seven Iranian military officials, including a senior IRGC commander, drew sharp reactions from the Iranian government officials, who vowed a "decisive response."

According to some unconfirmed reports, IRGC fired more than 300 drones and missiles in an attack that lasted several hours, many of which were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems.

However, IRGC commander Gen. Hossein Salami told reporters in Tehran on Sunday morning that the operation was successful more than they had expected.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Israel may decide to retaliate, which experts believe could trigger an all-out regional war.