Tehran's international airport reopens: news agencies

Tehran's international airport has reopened and flights carrying hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia have landed, Iranian news agencies reported early Tuesday.

"The deputy head of airport operation of Imam Khomeini Airport Company announced the resumption of flights to Imam Khomeini Airport and the flights of pilgrims," Mehr news agency reported.

Tehran's international airport suspended all incoming flights on Sunday after Iranian missile strikes on Israel. Israel retaliated with strikes of its own.

It was the latest closure for the airport, one of two serving the Iranian capital, which had only re-opened in April after being shut for weeks during the Middle East war.

The reopening comes after Iranian authorities temporarily halted flights at major airports following Iranian missile attacks on Israel and retaliatory Israeli strikes.

On Monday, Iran's Airports and Air Navigation Company announced widespread flight cancellations across the country because of security concerns, with only limited operations maintained for returning pilgrims.

The arrival of Hajj pilgrims is particularly significant because tens of thousands of Iranians travel annually to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage.

Easing backlog

The resumption of flights helps ease a growing backlog of travelers stranded by the airspace disruptions.

The latest reopening also underscores the strategic importance of Tehran's airport network.

Imam Khomeini International Airport had only resumed international operations in April after being closed for weeks during the wider conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Since then, authorities have gradually restored routes to destinations including Istanbul, Muscat and Medina.

While flights have resumed, regional aviation remains vulnerable to sudden disruptions as tensions continue across the Middle East.

Airlines and aviation authorities are closely monitoring security developments, with further restrictions possible if hostilities escalate again.

The reopening is one of the clearest signs that Iran is attempting to restore normal transportation links despite the latest military confrontation with Israel.

It also reopens a key route for Hajj pilgrims and international travelers at a time when air traffic across the region remains under heightened scrutiny