Air India, Indigo to avoid Iran airspace amid Tehran, Washington tensions

New Delhi : With United States carrying air strikes in Iran, Indian Airlines – Air India and Indigo – have been asked to avoid the airspace till things settle down between Tehran and Washington.

The notification came hours after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in the US strike on Baghdad's international airport which led to a dramatic escalation between the two countries.

India also reacted to the situation and said that it should be "vital that the situation does not escalate further" and called for restraint between the two countries.

"We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so," India said in a statement.

This is not the first time Indian Airlines have been asked to avoid the air space. Last year, when Iran had shot down the US drone in its air space, the same advisory was issued for the affected region.

Today's strike, which was ordered by US President Donald Trump, also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary force, the Hashed al-Shaabi. The missile bombardment hit a Hashed convoy and killed eight people, including "important figures".

After the attack, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of "severe revenge", vowing that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped".