This comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Commercial flights began diverting their routes over western Iran without explanation early Friday as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic reported “explosions” heard over the city of Isfahan. State television acknowledged “loud noise.”
Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a “loud noise” near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.
The incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel.
Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.
The semiofficial Fars news agency reported on explosions being heard over Isfahan near its international airport. It offered no explanation. However, Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.
Isfahan was one of the several launch sites of Iran’s drones and missiles in its April 13 attack on Israel, Iranian media reported. Tehran has routinely accused Israel of attacks and sabotage activities targeting its nuclear and military sites in the past, including in Isfahan.
The reports come as Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched a barrage of some 300 drones and missiles on the Jewish state last weekend. Iran said it was responding to a strike in Syria that killed several Iranian officers on April 1. Iran has been bracing for retaliation by Israel.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— With additional reporting from Bloomberg
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