Turkish Airlines has suspended all five of its scheduled flights to Tehran on Friday as widespread protests over the rising cost of living continue to unsettle Iran’s capital and other parts of the country.
Flight data from the Istanbul Airport mobile application showed that the cancellations affected all Turkish Airlines services bound for Tehran for the day, reflecting growing disruptions to air travel amid escalating tensions.
In addition to the Turkish carrier’s cancellations, at least five flights operated by Iranian airlines were also called off, while seven others remained listed as scheduled as of Friday, according to the airport app.
The flight suspensions come as Iran grapples with renewed waves of public demonstrations driven largely by economic hardship, soaring inflation, and declining purchasing power, with protesters openly challenging the country’s leadership under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Despite the growing unrest, Turkish authorities have yet to issue an official statement explaining the decision to halt the Tehran bound flights or outlining any broader travel advisory related to the situation in Iran.
Iran’s government has been under sustained pressure from an ongoing economic crisis exacerbated by years of international sanctions, currency depreciation, and structural economic challenges. The strain has been further intensified by the country’s efforts to recover from the June conflict with Israel, which placed additional stress on national resources and public confidence.
Analysts say the combination of economic hardship and recent geopolitical tensions has contributed to heightened public frustration, increasing the likelihood of further protests and potential disruptions to transportation and commercial activities.
While air traffic to Tehran has not been completely shut down, the cancellation of multiple international and domestic flights highlights the growing uncertainty surrounding travel and security conditions in the Iranian capital as the unrest continues.