Iran extends suspension of flights until early Sunday

TEHRAN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) has extended the suspension of flights to and from the country until 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday (2230 GMT Saturday), the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported.

It was decided to renew the flight cancellations given the country's special circumstances following Israel's airstrikes to ensure the safety and security of the flights and passengers, Mehr quoted Mehdi Ramezani, director of the CAO's public relations, as saying.

Iran announced the closure of its airspace after Israel early Friday launched airstrike on the Iranian capital Tehran and other cities across the country.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were killed in the airstrikes on Tehran.

In response, Iran on Friday night launched a missile attack against tens of targets, military centers and aerial bases in Israel, inflicting casualties and damages. Enditem