Iranian Airports Closed Amid War With US and Israel

Iran will resume international flights from Mashhad International Airport starting April 20, 2026, marking the first resumption of international air travel since the outbreak of hostilities with Israel and the United States on February 28, 2026.

The announcement, confirmed by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization on April 19, 2026, indicates a limited but significant step toward restoring international connectivity after more than seven weeks of airport closures across the country. Mashhad, located in northeastern Iran and the country’s second-largest city, will be the first airport to resume international operations, with initial flights expected to serve regional destinations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf.

All Iranian airports were closed to international and domestic commercial flights on February 28, 2026, following the initiation of military strikes by Israel and the United States targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. The closures were implemented as a precautionary measure amid heightened regional tensions and the risk of further escalation. Since then, Iranian airspace has remained restricted, with only limited military and humanitarian flights permitted under strict controls.

The decision to reopen Mashhad airport comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, including indirect talks between Iranian, and U.S. Representatives mediated by Omani officials in Muscat. While no formal ceasefire has been declared, both sides have signaled a willingness to explore avenues for reducing hostilities, particularly as humanitarian concerns and economic pressures mount within Iran.

Iranian officials have emphasized that the resumption of flights will be conducted under enhanced security protocols, including coordination with air defense units and real-time monitoring of regional airspace. The Civil Aviation Organization stated that flight schedules will be gradually expanded based on security assessments and demand, with additional airports expected to follow in phases if conditions remain stable.

Mashhad International Airport, which normally handles over 5 million passengers annually, serves as a key hub for religious tourism, particularly for pilgrims traveling to nearby holy sites in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its reopening is expected to facilitate the movement of Iranian nationals abroad and allow limited return of foreign nationals, including religious visitors and humanitarian workers.

Regional analysts caution that the resumption of flights does not signal a broader normalization of relations or a de-escalation of the underlying conflict. Military activity continues in peripheral zones, and both Israel and the United States have maintained their strategic posture, citing ongoing concerns about Iran’s regional influence and nuclear program. However, the move is being interpreted by some diplomatic observers as a tentative confidence-building measure that could support future negotiations.

As of April 19, 2026, no official timeline has been provided for the resumption of flights at other major Iranian airports, including Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport or Shiraz International Airport. Authorities have indicated that any further expansions will depend on sustained stability in the region and the absence of renewed large-scale military operations.