Iran postpones full reopening of airspace until Friday afternoon: state media

TEHRAN -- Iran announced on Thursday the closure of its northern, southern, and western airspace will remain in effect until Friday afternoon, state-run IRIB news agency reported.

"In view of the reopening of Iran's eastern airspace to domestic and international flights, the country's airspace in the northern, southern and western parts will remain closed until 14:00 local time on Friday (1030 GMT)," IRIB quoted Spokesman of Iran's Roads and Urban Development Ministry Majid Akhavan as saying.

The ministry had announced on Wednesday night the reopening of its eastern airspace, saying the move aimed to gradually restore air traffic to pre-conflict levels.

Iran closed its airspace on June 13 following Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other areas. Following a 12-day war, a ceasefire between the two sides was achieved on Tuesday.