Russia suspends flights to Iran and Israel

Alternative routes have been prepared to ensure flight safety

FILE PHOTO: The Aeroflot aircraft for the SU150 Moscow-Havana flight (R) is seen as a taxi drives out of a parking lot at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport Jun 24, 2013. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan/File Photo/File Photo

The Russian Ministry of Transport said on Saturday that Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel.

Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's long-running nuclear dispute with the West.

The ministry said that in connection with the closure of Iranian and Israeli airspace, Russian air carriers, in cooperation with the ministry and Rosaviatsiya aviation watchdog had worked out alternative flight routes in advance to ensure safe flights to the Persian Gulf countries.

Flight times will increase due to the longer distances, it said.