Jordan, Iraq reopen airspace after Iran assaults

CAIRO (Reuters) – Jordan and Iraq reopened their airspace on Sunday after closing it late on Saturday as Iran launched drone and missile assaults towards Israel, each international locations stated on Sunday.

Jordan’s state TV stated the nation had resumed air visitors operations, citing aviation authorities. The opening of its airspace got here greater than three hours sooner than scheduled.

Iraq’s aviation authority stated safety dangers had now been overcome.

Iran launched explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday in its first direct assault on Israeli territory, a retaliatory strike that raised the specter of a wider regional battle.

Jordan, which lies between Iran and Israel, had readied air defences to intercept any drone or missile that violated its territory, two regional safety sources stated.

U.S. and British warplanes have been concerned in capturing down some Israel-bound drones over the Iraq-Syria border space, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

(Reporting by Hatem Maher; Modifying by Michael Georgy and William Mallard)