Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport for the first time since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28.
State television reported departures to Istanbul, Muscat, and Medina on Saturday morning. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 confirmed at least three flights to Istanbul had taken off, marking the first full reopening of Iran’s airspace since hostilities paused under a ceasefire agreement earlier this month.
The resumption of flights coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Islamabad for talks with Pakistan’s military and political leadership. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said discussions would continue with senior officials, while US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to arrive for indirect negotiations.
Iran clarified that any engagement with US representatives would remain indirect, with Pakistan acting as an intermediary. The diplomatic effort follows an indefinite ceasefire that halted fighting but continues to affect global energy markets due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday. The Iranian embassy released a short video of the meeting, attended by spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei and Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam. Baghaei later stated that no direct talks between Tehran and Washington were planned, and Iran’s position would be conveyed through Pakistan.
