Iran extends access to airspace for overflights

Iran has expanded access to its airspace for international overflights following a ceasefire with Israel, though flight restrictions remain in place across much of the country, an official said on Saturday.

"In addition to the eastern half of the country's airspace being available for domestic, international and overflight operations, the airspace over the central and western parts of the country has now also been opened only for international overflights," Majid Akhavan, spokesman for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, said in a statement carried by the Irna state news agency.

Flights to and from airports in the north, south and west of the country, including Tehran's Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini international airports, remained suspended, Akhavan added.

"All fellow citizens are requested not to go to airports located in the northern, southern and western regions of the country," he said.

Iran reopened its eastern airspace on Wednesday, following a ceasefire that ended 12 days of fighting with Israel.

Airports now operating include Mashhad in eastern Iran - which Israel said it targeted during the conflict - as well as Chabahar in the southeast.

Flights in other regions remain suspended until further notice.