ALBAWABA - The Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority announced that Jordanian airspace will be temporarily closed to all incoming, departing and transiting aircraft, starting tonight.
According to the authority, the decision comes in light of the escalation of tension in the region, following the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, which Tehran blames Israeli for the attack, and its threats to respond to the deadly attack on its embassy in Syria.
The statement reads: "The authority has taken a decision to temporarily close Jordanian airspace to all incoming, departing and crossing aircraft, starting at 20:00 UTC, that is, 11:00 pm local time, for the next several hours, and this will be continuously updated and reviewed according to developments."
The decision came "in order to preserve the safety and security of civil aviation in Jordanian airspace, in light of the escalation of surrounding risks in the region, and after assessing the risks in accordance with internationally followed standards," it added.
Earlier, a US official told the Wall Street Journal that Israel is preparing for a "direct attack from Iran on southern or northern Israel as soon as Friday or Saturday."
According to the American source who is close to Iranian leaders, assault preparations are being discussed but not decided.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's counselor further noted: "The attack plans are before the supreme leader, and he is still evaluating the political risks."
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned in a televised speech after Eid al-Adha prayers in the capital that Israel "will be punished" for attacking the Iranian consulate in Syria killing seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.
