Syrian authorities announced a temporary closure of the country’s airspace on Friday, citing escalating regional tensions following a wave of Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.

In a statement carried by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Civil Aviation Authority chief Ashhad Salibi said the closure will remain in effect until 3:00 p.m. local time, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of civilian air traffic.

“This temporary closure is part of the precautionary measures we are taking in response to the current regional developments,” Salibi stated.

The decision follows reports of extensive Israeli airstrikes earlier on Friday targeting Iranian facilities in Tehran, Tabriz, the Natanz nuclear site in Isfahan, as well as locations in Lorestan and Kermanshah. The strikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian military officials.

The move underscores growing fears of a broader conflict in the region amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.