Iran Suspends Flights to Istanbul After Airport Attack

Iran has reportedly suspended all flights to the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, following the brutal terrorist attack on Tuesday that killed 44 and wounded more than 240 at last count.

“Due to last night’s explosion at Ataturk Airport… all Iranian flights are suspended until their safety and security are guaranteed,” said Reza Jafarzadeh, director of public relations for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, as reported by Iran’s Fars news agency and relayed by Reuters.

Reuters suggests the Iranian ban may be temporary as the U.S. suspension of flights to Istanbul was. The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the ground stop for flights to Ataturk Airport after several hours on Tuesday, according to USA Today.

Turkish Airlines has also canceled some flights, as have partners like China Southern Airlines, as reported by Shanghai Daily. USA Today‘s article mentions that Italy’s Alitalia canceled its flights on Tuesday evening.