Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport Resumes Commercial Flights for First Time Since Outbreak of US-Israel War

Commercial flights have resumed at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport for the first time since the war began, with initial routes to Istanbul, Muscat, and Medina.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 4:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Restoring Regional Connectivity Amid a Precarious Truce

Commercial aviation has returned to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) for the first time since the start of the joint US-Israeli offensive on February 28, 2026. According to Iran’s state broadcaster, the airport resumed operations on Saturday morning with scheduled departures to Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The resumption marks a significant step toward normalization during an indefinite ceasefire extension announced earlier this week by US President Donald Trump. While the airport remained functional for cargo and military logistics throughout the hostilities, passenger terminals had been largely deserted as foreign airlines withdrew their fleets and local carriers grounded aircraft to avoid airstrikes.

Gradual Reopening of the Iranian Airspace Corridor

The return of international travel follows a phased reopening of Iran’s domestic flight paths, which began earlier this week with services between Tehran and Mashhad. Ramin Kashef Azar, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, stated that all technical infrastructure and navigation systems are now fully operational. Currently, round-trip permits have been authorized for a limited number of regional hubs, with officials planning to issue additional permits for European and Asian routes as demand stabilizes. This gradual approach is designed to test the safety of the corridor while diplomatic negotiations remain sensitive in the Pakistani capital.

Diplomatic Maneuvering and the Islamabad Negotiations

The restoration of flights is taking place against the backdrop of high-stakes diplomacy in Islamabad, where US and Iranian envoys are attempting to finalize a nuclear and maritime security deal. The ceasefire, which has been in place since April 8, was recently extended at the request of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow negotiators to address the blockade of Iranian ports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump has indicated that while the ceasefire remains, the naval blockade will continue until Iran submits a "unified proposal" regarding its uranium enrichment and regional maritime conduct.