Travel disruption as Cyprus flights cancelled following Israel strikes on Iran
UK travellers are set to experience significant disruption as Cyprus's airports implement emergency measures and scrap flights in response to Israeli air strikes on Iran. The airspace between Iran and Israel has been cleared of civilian aircraft, resulting in over a dozen flight cancellations by Cypriot authorities.
Both Larnaca and Paphos airports have gone into emergency mode – preparing for possible rerouted flights from Israel. In reaction to the heightened tensions, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides called a National Security Council meeting for Friday.
Cyprus has triggered its Special National Plan "Estia" to manage the arrival and subsequent repatriation of foreign nationals. In anticipation of increased threats, Cyprus police have fortified security at both air and sea ports.
A spokesman told CNA that strict measures were already in place in the above areas. However, following the Israeli attack on Iran, security measures were strengthened, including at the Israeli Embassy in Cyprus.
Further travel chaos could also impact nations such as Turkey, Egypt, and potentially even Greece due to their proximity, reports Wales Online.
Israel has attacked the Iranian capital in strikes that targeted the country's nuclear programme and killed at least two top military officers. The assault on Tehran raises the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries and appears to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.
The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme and appeared certain to trigger a reprisal, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning that "severe punishment" would be directed at Israel. Hours later, Israel's military said it had begun intercepting Iranian drones launched in retaliation.
An Israeli official said the interceptions were taking place outside of Israeli territory, but did not elaborate. Iraq said more than 100 Iranian drones had crossed its airspace, and a short time later neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems had intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace for fear they would fall in its territory.
Israel's attack on Iran hit several sites, including the country's main nuclear enrichment facility, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. The leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported.
Oil prices have surged after Israel launched an attack on Iran's nuclear programme with financial markets anxious over retaliatory action. The price of Brent crude jumped nearly 10% higher at one stage before easing back a little to stand 7% higher at 74 US dollars a barrel.
London's FTSE 100 Index dropped 0.6%, down 56 points to 8828.6, in early morning trading on Friday after heavy overnight losses on Asian stock markets as the worries spooked investors, with the UK's top tier falling back from a record high set in the previous session.
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Spectator
40 minutes ago
- Spectator
Israel isn't close to victory over Iran
Amongst a swirl of pronouncements from Tel Aviv, Washington and Tehran – and against the dramatic backdrop of an Iranian TV presenter's rather tired fire and fury being interrupted by the sound of bombs – Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Israel is close to 'victory.' Yet despite Ayatollah Khamenei being hidden in a bunker, experiencing regular panic attacks and now shielded from the worst news of his battered nation, any talk of 'victory' by the Israeli prime minister feels hollow and premature. Talk of human rights, revolutions and the evils of the Islamic Republic have been cast aside as luxuries As this war thunders into its fifth day, Iranians across the country seek only to flee Israeli bombs. Talk of human rights, revolutions and the evils of the Islamic Republic have been cast aside as luxuries when faced with imminent destruction. It's about survival now. And for the Ayatollahs and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), this is now about resistance, seemingly at any cost. Amid talk of 'regime change', we should remember that there is another possibility; Khamenei making way for a younger leader equally keen on resistance, but perhaps willing to talk their way to a pause in fighting, a chance to regroup, rearm and head on to a bomb. Israeli diplomatic pressure on the White House will, therefore, be offering Trump a tantalising glimpse of how close they are to this elusive victory, seeking to get their hands on those B52 bombers that can reduce Iran's nuclear program to dust and dismantle the regime for good. Despite Israel's relentless, and logical, targeting of Iran's missile launchers, and its dismantling of the Islamic Republic's leadership, Iran retains an arsenal of short-range air defense missiles. For all the damage Israel has inflicted on the Iranian nuclear infrastructure, it is unlikely that the disruption to its nuclear program (thought to be a few weeks from achieving weapons grade uranium, and a few years from achieving a warhead) has been significant enough to change those timelines, or, more importantly, to change their minds. Ultimately, the Islamic Republic now knows, more than ever, that it 'needs' a bomb. And it needs to survive. Here's where Donald Trump comes in; to finish the job off once and for all. Or so the theory goes. Last night the US president told everyone 'to evacuate Tehran immediately', suggesting imminent US air strikes. Although we are told that it could be in Iran's interest for the war to expand into the region, playing to Iran's fabled (if crumpled) asymmetrical strengths, the very last thing Tehran needs is American warplanes joining in the fight. But how far will the US involve itself? A continuing exchange of fire in which both sides dig their heels in, and the world mostly watches on as ordinary citizens pay the ultimate price, still seems the most likely scenario. In this age of forever wars, Trump faces an unenviable choice, as do the Iranian and Israeli people. There really are no victors here.
Western Telegraph
43 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Israel's strikes against Tehran broaden as Trump issues ominous warning
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Israel says its sweeping assault on Iran's top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites and ballistic missile programme is necessary to prevent its long-time adversary from getting any closer to building an atomic weapon. The strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran and wounded 1,277 since Friday. Iran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded. The Israeli military said a new barrage of missiles was launched on Tuesday, and explosions could be heard in northern Israel. Israeli security forces inspect a site hit by a missile launched from Iran (Baz Ratner/AP) Downtown Tehran appeared to be emptying out early Tuesday, with many shops closed. The ancient Grand Bazaar was also closed, something that only happened in the past during anti-government demonstrations or at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. On the roads out of Tehran to the west, traffic stood bumper to bumper. Many appeared to be heading to the Caspian Sea area. Long lines also could be seen at petrol stations in Tehran, with printed placards and boards calling for a 'severe' response to Israel visible across the city. Authorities cancelled leave for doctors and nurses as the attacks continue, but insisted everything was under control and did not offer any guidance for the public on what to do. The Israeli military meanwhile claimed to have killed someone it described as Iran's top general in a strike on Tehran. Iran did not immediately comment on the reported killing of Gen Ali Shadmani, who had just been named as the head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, part of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Iran has named other generals to replace the top leaders of the guard and the regular armed forces after they were killed in earlier strikes. 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Israeli military officials also said fighter jets had struck 10 command centres in Tehran belonging to Iran's Quds Force, an elite arm of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard that conducts military and intelligence operations outside Iran. Israel's military issued an evacuation warning for a part of central Tehran that houses state TV and police headquarters, as well as three large hospitals, including one owned by the guard. It has issued similar evacuation warnings for parts of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon ahead of strikes. On Monday, an Israeli strike hit the headquarters of Iran's state-run TV station, sending a television anchor fleeing her studio during a live broadcast. The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had hit the station because 'the broadcast channel was used to spread anti-Israel propaganda'. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli strikes have set Iran's nuclear programme back a 'very, very long time', and told reporters he is in daily contact with Mr Trump. Iran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Trump gives 2 day deadline for ‘REAL end' to Iran's nukes as he rushes to situation room after urging Tehran evacuation
TWO DAYS OR DIE Trump gives 2 day deadline for 'REAL end' to Iran's nukes as he rushes to situation room after urging Tehran evacuation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump has issued a chilling two-day deadline as he vows to bring a "real end" to Iran's nuclear programme - after urging Tehran to evacuate "everyone". Israel's ambassador also hinted at something big on the horizon - promising lethal "surprises" on Thursday that would dwarf its operations to date. 7 Trump vowed to bring about 'better than a ceasefire' Credit: AP 7 Iran State Radio and Television (IRIB) building was smoking after a direct Israeli strike Credit: REXNEWS 7 Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) rescuers working at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Tehran Credit: EPA 7 A missile streaking over Jerusalem as sirens rang out Credit: EPA 7 The roads out of Tehran were jammed with cars as Trump ordered the city to evacuate Credit: Reuters As Trump rushed back meet his National Security Council, he vowed he was chasing something "better than a ceasefire", which will force Iran into a "complete give up". He refused to specify the endgame, but ominously warned: "You're going to find out over the next two days." Trump's prophecy coincides with one from the Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter, who said: "We've pulled off a number of surprises. "When the dust settles, you're going to see some surprises on Thursday night and Friday that will make the beeper operation almost seem simple." He was referring to Israel's incredible operation to detonate explosives planted in thousands of pagers owned by Hezbollah members in Lebanon. Trump dramatically left Monday's G7 summit in Canada a day early - and has repeatedly insisted it was not to pursue peace talks with Iran "in any way, shape or form". Israel and Iran continue to trade missiles for a fifth day, with Tehran's civilians fleeing the city in their thousands and a handful of casualties reported by Tel Aviv. The IDF said it has killed Iran's most senior military commander - and the person closest to the Supreme Leader - for the second time in five days. Iran claimed today it had hit the HQ of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad - though this has not been confirmed - and repeatedly warned of stepping up missile and drone attacks. Israel reported this morning that around 30 missiles were involved in Iran's latest wave. 7 The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Ghadir site in Tehran has been obliterated by Israel in recent days Credit: AFP 7 Monday saw a major escalation in the brewing conflict with Israel directly targeting an Iranian state TV studio which was on air at the time. And damning satellite pictures have shown just how effective Israel's attacks have been since the conflict started on Friday. Parts of Iran's nuclear infrastructure have been decimated by IDF jets who have hammered Iranian depots, HQs, and plants - turning the prized buildings into charred, burnt-out wrecks. But experts still believe Israel hasn't yet delivered a fatal blow to Iran's program with the international atomic body saying some sites are yet to be damaged. Israel now claims to have air superiority over the enemy which would allow it to methodically target any sites without the threat of having its jets shot down. A US aircraft carrier also is barrelling towards the Middle East after President Trump warned the "full strength and might" of the military would be used if America was attacked. The move piled more pressure on Iran's Ayatollah and comes as Iranians have been heard shouting "Death to Khamenei" - their supreme leader. Some Tehran locals could be heard yelling for freedom as bombs fell around them, footage posted to social media showed. Israel possibly may have widened its war goals to include overthrowing Khamenei, according to the Washington Post, as Netanyahu asserts that Iran is now "very weak". Tension across the Middle East is now skyrocketing as the conflict threatens to spiral into a wider regional war after Pakistan called for the Islamic world to back Iran. Islamabad even warned they will nuke Israel, a senior Iranian general claimed. Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun's live blog below...
