Chalien Dantes/Contributor

Iran will not compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, the International Paralympic Committee announced, citing safety concerns for the country’s sole athlete.

Cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei was set to represent Iran, but the ongoing conflict in the Middle East made travel to Italy too dangerous, forcing his withdrawal just hours before the games’ opening ceremony in Verona.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian missile and military targets, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks across the region, including on Israel.

Residents in Tehran described Thursday night (March 6) as the worst yet, while additional strikes hit Beirut, and several Gulf nations reported intercepting Iranian missiles.

IPC officials noted that communication with Iran’s sporting bodies had been difficult due to disrupted systems across the country.