Reports from Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 19 local time indicated that commercial flights were being diverted over western Iran without any official explanation. This news came as a semiofficial agency in Iran mentioned hearing “explosions” over the city of Isfahan, with state television also acknowledging a “loud noise.”
The situation unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s recent missile-and-drone attack on Israel.
Emirates and FlyDubai, both based in Dubai, started rerouting their flights around western Iran around 4:30 a.m. local time. While they did not provide a reason for this change, warnings to aviators suggested that the airspace in the region may have been closed.
The semiofficial Fars news agency reported on the explosions heard over Isfahan near its international airport, but did not offer any further details. Isfahan is known for hosting a significant airbase for the Iranian military and sites related to its nuclear program.
Iranian state television also issued an alert acknowledging the “loud noise” near Isfahan, though no additional information was immediately provided.
More updates to follow.
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