Cyprus flights cancelled after Israeli strikes on Iran
Cyprus flights cancelled after Israeli strikes on Iran
The airspace has been cleared, emergency protocols enacted and security increased
Sea caves in Cape Greko national park near Ayia Napa and Protaras, Cyprus
UK travellers face disruption as airports in Cyprus initiate emergency measures and cancel flights after Israel launched air strikes on Iran. The airspace between Iran and Israel has been cleared of civilian traffic and Cyprus has cancelled more than a dozen flights already.
Larnaca and Paphos airports have been placed on emergency standby - meaning they may need to take flights diverted from Israel. The Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has convened a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday.
The country's Special National Plan 'Estia' has already been activated for the reception and repatriation of foreign citizens. Cyprus police have taken measures to strengthen security at airports and 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.
There is also potential for disruption in other nearby countries including Turkey, Egypt and even Greece.
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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.
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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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