BAGHDAD, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday extended the closure of the country's airspace for an additional 72 hours amid ongoing regional tensions.

In a statement, the authority said that the extension, effective from 12:00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) Wednesday until 12:00 p.m. Saturday, applies to all arriving, departing, and transiting aircraft.

This decision is based on a continuous assessment of security conditions and regional developments, it noted, adding that the situation will be reassessed accordingly.

The extension followed joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting Saturday morning, to which Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East. ■