First Minister criticised for not attending briefing - flight cancellations and Antrim couple evacuated to Dubai hotel basement
The war in the Middle East shows no sign of letting up as it brought disruption to flights in the UK, as well as trapping a Northern Ireland couple in the basement of their hotel.
US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
The attack prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles reported to have targeted Israel and countries across the Middle East.
Iranian state media confirmed the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran.
Back home First Minister Michelle O’Neill has been criticised by unionist parties for not attending a briefing with senior UK government security advisors regarding the ongoing developments in the region.
DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen slammed Ms O’Neill, saying that people in Northern Ireland want reassurance that their interests are “being represented at the highest level”.
Meanwhile, the ongoing war has led to the suspension of UK flights to and from the region until at least today, major airlines have said.
Dublin Airport also saw the cancellations of numerous flights to and from the likes of Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi yesterday.
The News Letter has spoken to an Antrim couple who were evacuated to the basement of their Dubai hotel as strikes reached the city across the weekend.
Jonny McKinney said that every bang in the sky stops him in his tracks as the father of three tries to keep his family updated back home.
There were also jubilant scenes outside Belfast City Hall yesterday as Iranian opponents of the Islamic regime in Tehran celebrated the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with dancing, song and chanting.
The group had been assembling in the same location in recent weeks to protest against Iran’s leadership. However, on this occasion, the atmosphere shifted from protest to celebration after the killing.
Demonstrators waved Israeli and American flags alongside banners representing the Iranian opposition.
The US military has confirmed that three of its service personnel have been killed and five have been seriously injured in military operations targeting Iran.