Flights Resume from Tehran Hubs as Iran Reopens Six Key Airports

20/04/2026

TEHRAN, Apr 20: Iran has announced the reopening of its main capital airports, including Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport, after more than a month of closure, as a fragile two-week ceasefire with the United States approaches its deadline.

According to the Civil Aviation Organization, cited by ISNA news agency, passenger flights resumed at the two Tehran airports starting Monday. Additional regional airports—including those in Urmia, Kermanshah, Abadan, Shiraz, Kerman, Rasht, Yazd, Zahedan, Gorgan and Birjand—are set to reopen for commercial operations from Saturday.

Iran had shut its airspace in late February following joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting its missile and nuclear infrastructure, triggering weeks of escalating hostilities across the region. The conflict, which extended into early April, prompted multiple countries, including Iraq, to close their airspace amid retaliatory strikes.

A two-week ceasefire agreed on April 8 is due to expire on Wednesday, with uncertainty surrounding its extension. Talks held in Islamabad failed to yield a broader agreement, with Tehran blaming Washington’s “excessive demands,” while U.S. officials accused Iran of refusing to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Donald Trump said a U.S. delegation would head to Islamabad for further negotiations, warning of potential military action if talks collapse. Iran has yet to confirm participation, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stating no decision has been made.

With both sides exchanging accusations over ceasefire violations, the situation remains volatile, raising concerns that the region could slide back into sustained drone and missile attacks if diplomacy fails.