Iran Lifts All Flight Restrictions in Sign of De-escalation with Israel

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Iran has officially reopened its airspace for full flight operations after a ceasefire agreement with Israel ended nearly two weeks of military conflict. The announcement, made by the country’s Civil Aviation Organisation (CAO), confirms that both domestic and international flights have returned to normal, including 24-hour services at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.

The CAO published a statement on Saturday confirming the complete removal of restrictions imposed during the recent hostilities. “From now on, all airlines and travel agencies can once again offer 24-hour flight services and ticket sales,” the authority declared.

Airspace across Iran was initially closed on June 13, following a major round of Israeli airstrikes that targeted nuclear, military, and civilian sites. Among the casualties were several high-ranking commanders and nuclear scientists, prompting a swift and forceful retaliation from Tehran. Over the following days, Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Israel, escalating the situation into a dangerous regional standoff.

The conflict took another sharp turn on June 22 when United States forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran responded by launching strikes on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts American military personnel. After 12 days of fighting, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was reached on June 24, bringing some measure of calm back to the region.

Following the ceasefire, the CAO began a phased reopening of Iranian airspace on June 26. Airports across the country gradually resumed regular operations. By July 17, all airports were back in service, with the exception of Mehrabad, which continued operating on a restricted schedule between 4:00 am and 7:00 pm local time (0030 to 1530 GMT) due to lingering security concerns.

Now, with Mehrabad fully operational, Iran’s aviation network is once again running at pre-conflict levels. The restoration of round-the-clock air travel is expected to ease the burden on airlines that had been rerouting flights to avoid Iranian skies, and to improve travel and trade routes across the region.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, which regulates the country’s air travel and airport safety, has been working closely with national and international carriers to ensure a safe return to normal operations. Some observers view the full reopening as a sign of stability returning at least temporarily, in the wake of intense cross-border hostilities.

Although the region is still tense and it is unclear how long the ceasefire will last, Iran’s decision to remove all airspace restrictions shows that it feels more secure for now. Flights are back to normal, ending weeks of disruption and conflict.