Iran activates air defense systems after loud explosion, suspends flights over many areas

Immediately after a large explosion near Isfahan's airport, Iran activated air defense systems in the city and suspended flights in some areas.

Iran confirmed that the Natanz nuclear facility located in Isfahan is safe after the Israeli attack on April 18. (Source: Reuters)

Flights over the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran have been suspended, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.

Mehr news agency also said that all flights to and from Imam Khomeini International Airport in the capital Tehran were canceled until 7:00 a.m. on April 19 (Iran time, 10:30 a.m. the same day Hanoi time).

Previously, ABC News of the US quoted an American official as saying that on the evening of April 18 local time (ie the morning of April 19 Hanoi time), Israeli missiles attacked a location in Iran.

Iran's Fars news agency said there were loud explosions near the airport in the city of Isfahan, but the cause was not yet determined. Several of Iran's nuclear facilities are located in Isfahan, including Natanz, the center of the country's uranium enrichment program.

Iran's semi-official state news agency Tasnim said nuclear facilities in Isfahan province were "completely safe".

Two US officials recently confirmed to CBS News that an Israeli missile had hit Iran. But officials were tight-lipped about the location or scale of the attack.

When contacted by CBS News , the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had no comment on the attack.

The incident occurred five days after Tehran launched hundreds of drones and missiles to retaliate against Israel for the airstrike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria on April 1 that killed seven people. Iran blamed Israel for the incident.

The international community is currently continuously calling on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalating tensions in the region.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/iran-kich-hoat-he-thong-phong-khong-sau-tieng-no-lon-dinh-chi-cac-chuyen-bay-qua-nhieu-khu-vuc-268365.html