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Türkiye has partially resumed air travel with Iran as of Friday, following a two-week suspension triggered by Israeli military strikes, Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced on Friday.
Flights from Iran’s eastern city of Mashhad to Istanbul have resumed after a 15-day halt, while efforts to return 11 Turkish aircraft stranded in Iran and Iraq are ongoing, Uraloglu stated.
The Mashhad airspace—closed to international traffic since June 13 due to security risks—has now reopened. Iranian carriers have resumed services toward Istanbul, facilitating the partial restoration of air connectivity between the two countries.
“With these flights, Türkiye-Iran air travel will resume, albeit in a limited capacity,” Uraloglu stated in his post on X..
Although the Mashhad route is operational again, Uraloglu noted that airspace over key western Iranian cities, including Tehran and Tabriz, remains closed. The restrictions are expected to stay in place until at least July 2.
The minister also reaffirmed that diplomatic engagement is ongoing for the safe return of the stranded Turkish aircraft. “We are continuing negotiations with Iranian officials for the safe return of our aircraft currently in Iran,” he said, adding that “efforts are ongoing to normalize reciprocal flights as soon as possible.”
In an earlier statement on June 21, Uraloglu had revealed that 11 Turkish aircraft remained grounded in Iran and Iraq due to security concerns following Israeli strikes. These included seven in Iran and four in Iraq, with Pegasus Airlines accounting for the largest number. Turkish Airlines, Ajet, and Tailwind Airlines were also affected.
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