Iran cancels all overnight flights as it braces for a retaliation from Israel

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

All flights from Iranian airports scheduled between 9pm on Sunday until 6am on Monday have been canceled in anticipation of an expected Israeli retaliation for the Iranian attack last week.

The cancellations were confirmed by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization.

Iranian authorities sent out the notice to pilots or NOTAM with exceptions for “emergency flight, ferry flights and state aircraft.”

IRNA, an Iranian state-run outlet, cited “operational restrictions” for the cancellations, as the government braces for an expected Israeli response to the launch of 200 missiles last Tuesday.

Following last week’s unprecedented direct attack by Iran, Israeli security officials are weighing possible options for a retaliatory strike against the Islamic Republic.

The Israeli military recently admitted that Iranian missiles struck several air forces bases, though the IDF spokesman stressed that the impacts had not affected operations, nor had aircraft sustained damage.

Immediately following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech that Iran had “made a big mistake” by attacking, and that Tehran “would pay” for sending some 9 million Israelis into bomb shelters.

In a subsequent speech, Netanyahu hinted that Israel may assassinate top Iranian leaders, such as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameinei, as part of its retaliatory attack.

“When Iran is finally free — and that moment will come a lot sooner than people think – everything will be different,” Netanyahu said.

The headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or its presidential palace are also potential symbolic targets that could serve as a blow to the morale of the regime.

Beyond killing Iranian government officials, there are a number of different targets that Israel could choose to restore its deterrence against Iran.

According to a Ma’ariv report, the Israeli military is considering striking Iranian military assets, such as the sites from which the ballistic missiles were launched.

An attack targeting Iran’s oil production facilities and fields could also levy a defeating economic blow against Tehran.

Israel could also leverage the momentum of the current moment to finally strike Iran’s nuclear development sites. The Jewish State has been seeking international legitimacy for such a move for years.