ISNA news agency reported today, citing an announcement from the Iran Civil Aviation Organization (CAA), that permits for commercial flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport have been reinstated. These are two key airports in the capital Tehran.

Passenger flights from 10 airports across Iran are also scheduled to resume from 25/4.

An Iran Air aircraft in the UK in 8/2022. *Photo: AFP*

CNN reported today that President Masoud Pezeshkian stated Iran needs to end its conflict with the US and Israel as soon as possible to focus on the larger task of national reconstruction.

During meetings with Iranian officials, Pezeshkian emphasized that continued conflict benefits no side, urging the use of "all appropriate channels and diplomatic means to reduce tensions".

The US and Iran are currently in a two-week ceasefire, set to conclude on 22/4. Since hostilities erupted on 28/2, the two sides have conducted only one 21-hour negotiation session in Islamabad, failing to reach an agreement, although preparations for subsequent dialogues continue.

The prospect of a second round of talks has become fragile following the USS Spruance destroyer incident on 19/4, where the US vessel shelled and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, citing attempts to bypass a blockade. The Iranian military condemned this as an "act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire agreement", vowing swift retaliation.

The US reportedly sent a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for potential talks on 20/4. However, Tehran announced it "has not decided" whether to continue negotiations with Washington.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, CNN, Times of Israel)