International flights resume at Tehran Airport for first time as Iran-US talks near

Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Saturday for the first time since the start of conflict with the United States.

According to Iranian state media, flight operations, hampered due to turbulent geopolitics in the Middle East, are once again active, highlighting a major stop towards normalcy since the outbreak of war in February.

On April 25, 2026, international operations officially commenced with the first flights departing for Medina, Muscat, and Istanbul, according to state broadcaster Press TV.

Flightradar24, a flight tracking platform, also confirmed the departure of three Istanbul-bound flights from Tehran on Saturday morning.

Authorities expect flight schedules to gain momentum significantly in the near future.

This expansion follows the resumption of domestic commercial travel on April 18 as a result of fragile ceasefire, which saw the reopening of six regional hubs, including airports in Tehran, Mashhad, and Birjand.

The positive development regarding the resumption of international flights comes at a critical diplomatic point when both countries Iran and the US are heading to Pakistan for the second-round of peace talks.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has reached Pakistan, but Iran still maintains its position of not involving in direct meetings with the US.

On the other hand, according to the White House, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for Iran talks.

It remains to be seen how the peace talks will unfold and whether it will lead to further extension of the ceasefire or a permanent deal between Tehran and Washington.