The precise sequence of events has not yet been officially established. Several reports said the tyre problem was followed by an engine malfunction or damage to an engine. However, it remains unclear whether the two technical problems were directly connected. Aviation authorities are reportedly investigating the incident, but no preliminary technical findings have been published.

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Footage recorded inside the aircraft showed the cabin shaking heavily during the emergency. Several overhead compartments opened, causing passengers’ belongings to fall onto seats and into the aisle. Sections of the interior ceiling also became detached, leaving parts of the area above the cabin panels exposed. Passengers could be heard shouting, crying and reciting prayers as the aircraft continued to shake.

Some reports described the Boeing 737 as “falling apart”, but the available footage appears to show damage to interior cabin fittings. These panels cover systems and equipment located above the passenger cabin but are not the aircraft’s main load-bearing structure. Their detachment can still create a risk to passengers, particularly when panels and baggage fall onto occupied seats. The footage alone does not establish whether the aircraft suffered structural damage elsewhere.

Firefighters, medical teams and other emergency personnel were reportedly placed on standby at Mashhad Airport before the aircraft returned. The runway was temporarily closed so that the landing and a subsequent safety assessment could take place. It reopened later the same day, according to reports citing the government of Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province. Despite the visible cabin damage and the fear among passengers, everyone was able to leave the aircraft safely.

Hassan Jafari, a spokesperson for Sepehran Airlines, confirmed to Iran’s Fars news agency that nobody had been injured. The passengers were subsequently transferred to another flight to complete their journey to Kermanshah. The airline has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the tyre problem or the reported engine malfunction. The aircraft’s flight number and registration were also not consistently identified in the initial reports.

The incident occurred around three weeks after another Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 was involved in an emergency at Mashhad Airport. On 25 August 2026, a Boeing 737-500 arriving from Tehran left the runway after landing and came to a stop with its nose landing gear collapsed. All 127 people on board were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation opened an investigation into that event.

There is currently no evidence that the two incidents had the same cause. The August event happened after landing, while the latest emergency reportedly began with a tyre problem during departure. Their occurrence at the same airport within a short period nevertheless places additional attention on the airline and the outcome of the investigations. Until technical findings are released, it is not possible to determine whether maintenance, aircraft condition or another factor contributed to either event.

Sepehran Airlines is based in Mashhad and operates domestic and regional international services. According to the airline’s official fleet information, it has 12 Boeing 737 aircraft. Its fleet consists of Boeing 737-300s and 737-500s, which belong to the older 737 Classic generation. The age or model of an aircraft does not by itself show that it is unsafe, provided it is maintained and operated in accordance with applicable requirements.

L’article Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 returns to Mashhad after severe vibrations damage cabin est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The more than 400-year-old Golestan Palace sits at the heart of Tehran’s historic district, near Arg Square. It is a complex of royal buildings that once served as a shah’s court and became the seat of the Qajars for over a century. The citadel boasts 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls that witnessed coronations and major events. Marrying Persian design and aesthetics with European motifs and conventions, it features rich decoration, intricate glass and mirrorwork, and distinctive orsi doors. The palace is also home to three major archives, including photographs and manuscripts. UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage in 2013.

Though precious chandeliers and artefacts from other national museums had already been removed to safer sites, Ahmad Alavi, Tehran’s tourism committee chair, has told reporters that windows in the complex have been blown out, and wood and glass damaged, by an air strike shockwave so powerful it lifted tarmac in the surroundings. Local media have published images showing the aftermath, and reported that other historic treasures, such as the city’s Arg Mosque and Grand Bazaar, were harmed too.

Top Iranian officials, among them the cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts minister, Reza Salehi-Amiri, went to the citadel to examine the extent of the destruction, which Salehi-Amiri denounced as a breach of international norms and obligations.

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While a report detailing the damage is on its way, both UNESCO and UN head António Guterres have already condemned the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. UNESCO warned that “cultural property is protected under international law, notably the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.”

Elsewhere in Iran, over 800 museums and 29 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites could be at risk, as well as cultural gems across the wider conflict arena. These include Bronze Age Umm an-Nar treasures at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, and the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra, or the coastal city of Historic Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, where 19^th-century tower houses, coral building traditions, and trade route crafts co-exist side-by-side.

I condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States & Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace & security.

All Member States must respect their obligations under… pic.twitter.com/TZKS4GuNnZ

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 28, 2026

In addition to monitoring the status of cultural assets across the region with a view to ensuring their protection, UNESCO has sent the warring nations the geographical coordinates of World Heritage and nationally significant sites “to avoid any potential damage.”

L’article Military strikes damage Iranian palace and prompt UNESCO fears for Middle East heritage est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The temporary closure came amid US President Donald Trump’s threats of military response against Iran, following Tehran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. “If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he added.

Iranian airspace was largely closed to civilian traffic in the early hours of Thursday, allowing only flights approved in advance by Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation. According to notices published by the US Federal Aviation Administration, the restrictions ran from about 1:45 am to 4:00 am, local time, and again from 4:44 am to 7:00 am, before the skies were reopened.

Current air traffic over Iran now (none) compared to the same time last week. pic.twitter.com/zsnQq3ahvQ

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 15, 2026

During the period of restricted airspace, commercial traffic over Iran was significantly reduced, with many flights diverting to neighbouring air routes and some carriers issuing cancellations or delays. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed only three aircraft over Iran at 6:05 am local time, while dozens of other planes were rerouted around the country’s borders. Mahan Air, Yazd Airways and AVA Airlines were among the first to resume activity once the airspace reopened. 

On Wednesday at the White House, while signing executive orders and legislation, Trump said the killings in Iran were coming to an end. “We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping — it’s stopped — it’s stopping. And there’s no plan for executions, or an execution, or executions — so I’ve been told that on good authority.”

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, nearly 3,500 people have reportedly been killed in Iran during the security forces’ crackdown on protests. In response to the heightened tensions, several countries have also issued travel advisories urging their citizens in the region to exercise caution amid fears of potential escalation.

L’article Iran reopens airspace after temporary closure amid tensions with US est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Human rights organisations report hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of detentions, though independent verification remains extremely difficult.

Until 8 January, the situation was largely unaffected, but the weekend saw a near-total halt of international traffic at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), as confirmed by Flightradar24 data.

While the primary danger is considered to be on the ground rather than in Iranian airspace itself, the deteriorating security situation has made landing, ground handling, and moving within major cities increasingly risky for flight crews and passengers. Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has issued airspace warnings near sensitive areas. Recent Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) indicate heightened military aircraft and drone activity, prompting several governments to warn airlines of elevated risks.

Since then, international carriers have adopted a cautious, day-by-day approach, frequently extending cancellations by 24 to 48 hours. Multiple governments, including those of the US, the UK, and India, have issued the highest-level “Do Not Travel” advisories. 

Images from the #Flight24 website indicate that the skies over western #Iran are almost empty of airplane flights. The reduction of flights in the skies over countries sometimes occurs due to the possibility of military tension. The regime will fall soon the hit is getting near. pic.twitter.com/RzJssVfpKf

— Elle JT #MAGAnificent (@ElyaneJt) January 12, 2026

Flights to and from Iran: Airline Operations and Travel Logistics

Flight operations remain highly fragmented following widespread cancellations over the weekend.

Turkish Airlines, one of the most frequent operators to the country, has officially extended its suspension of all services to Iran until at least 14 January, having cancelled more than 17 flights over the weekend. For the moment, the airline is operating on a day-to-day basis. Turkish low-cost carriers AJet and Pegasus Airlines have also suspended or cancelled multiple routes to Iranian cities. Etihad Airways has officially suspended all flights until 13 January.

Other Gulf carriers, which were among the first to halt operations, were also among the first to partially resume services. Emirates and flydubai reinstated a limited number of flights to Tehran on Monday morning, but they are operating under strict risk management protocols. Notably, Emirates has maintained a “Transit Rule” whereby passengers starting their journey outside the UAE (e.g., in London or New York) are currently prevented from boarding if their final destination is Iran, in order to prevent them from becoming stranded in Dubai.

FlyDubai has a flight into Tehran right now. pic.twitter.com/4ZjZl5NJ5Z

— Peter Vogel (@PeterVogel) January 11, 2026

Similarly, Qatar Airways has resumed a limited Doha–Tehran service, but continues to cancel flights to smaller cities such as Mashhad and Shiraz.

On Sunday, Flightradar24.com showed Aeroflot and Jazeera aircraft in the “departed” section from Tehran.

European carriers remain cautious. Austrian Airlines suspended its Vienna–Tehran service on 9 January, stating that it was monitoring the situation. Lufthansa, which had planned to resume its Tehran route on 16 January, has confirmed that the schedule is now “under active security review.”

Iranian carriers, including Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Qeshm Air, have continued to operate domestic and regional flights, including services to and from Dubai.

PR No.1⃣3⃣/2⃣0⃣2⃣6⃣

Travel Advisory for Pakistani Nationals Regarding Iran
pic.twitter.com/YmH4PwmrCp

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 10, 2026

“Airlines will almost certainly be rerouting flights out of an abundance of caution,” said Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research. “The bigger concern is booking flights to Iran. While flights are operating, passengers need to be aware that services could be cancelled at short notice and that it could become extremely difficult to leave the country if the situation deteriorates further.”

Beyond the flights themselves, travellers should bear in mind that logistics could be severely affected by the “digital blackout.” As the government has restricted internet and mobile networks, digital boarding passes and airline apps have become unreliable; therefore, travellers should have physical, printed copies of all travel documents.

Furthermore, reaching the airport has become an unpredictable challenge due to security roadblocks and protests in major urban centres, meaning that the standard 90-minute commute to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport can now take several hours.

L’article Flights to and from Iran, what travellers need to know est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The selection followed intensive negotiations with several domestic and international contractors, Chalandari said, with the Chinese investment beating the other bidders. The business venture between Iran and China will follow a barter mechanism, wherein Tehran will be allowed to swap crude oil for financial resources, equipment and technical services.

“The executive operation for the new terminal under the second phase development operation of the airport will probably begin until late September,” said the official while speaking to reporters in a news conference.

IKA is Iran’s largest airport and is located some 25 kilometers to the southwest of the capital Tehran. The airport offers services to 29 major international airlines with flights to 64 destinations around the world.

Iran has been working to position itself as a regional hub for air travel and trade due to its strategic location between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In fact, IKA has been the primary airport in Iran with the potential to serve as a regional hub as it offers connections to various destinations around the world and serves as a key transit point for travelers flying between Asia and Europe. However, some of those projects and ambitions have stalled in recent years mainly because of US sanctions on the country.

Chalandari said the transportation ministry had finished feasibility studies for the development of the second phase of IKA, adding that the project will be executed across 410,000 hectares of lands located to the south of the airport.

He said IKA’a new terminal will enjoy modern equipment and infrastructure and will operate independent of the airport’s current facilities.

L’article Iran’s largest international airport to be developed by Chinese contractor est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

You feel as if you have moved from one country to another because the cultures and peoples are very different. You’re talking about a complete change of scenery and even languages.

Yeganeh Morakabati, professor at Bournemouth University

Started in 1927 and completed in 1938, the 1,394-kilometre-long railway was designed and executed in a successful collaboration between the Iranian government and 43 construction contractors from many countries. The railway is notable for its scale and the engineering works it required to overcome steep routes and other difficulties.

Its construction involved extensive mountain cutting in some areas, while the rugged terrain in others dictated the construction of 174 large bridges, 186 small bridges and 224 tunnels, including 11 spiral tunnels. Unlike most early railway projects, construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway was funded by national taxes to avoid foreign investment and control.

“When you sit on the train from Tehran to go towards the south, you suddenly change seasons in a matter of hours,” said Yeganeh Morakabati, a tourism researcher and associate professor at Bournemouth University, to National Geographic.

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021, the network of this undertaking includes one hundred and seventy-four large bridges, 186 small bridges and 224 tunnels. It was built between 1927 and 1938. This feat required more than 70,000 workers, detailed mapping and aerial photography.

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From the railroad weaves an amazing web of landscapes, from the skyscrapers of the capital to the tombs and mosques of Qom, passing by the nomadic settlements of the Zagros Mountains.

Iran’s image as a multifaceted tourist destination has suffered since the 1979 revolution. Decades of sanctions and negative media portrayals of the country’s society as anti-Western have further marginalized the nation, says Morakabati. But as more tourists flock to the country and form their own opinions, these stereotypes are disappearing.

According to National Geographic, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup being held in nearby Qatar in the fall, the country is preparing for an influx of travelers. The railroad, initially considered one of Iran’s most controversial infrastructure projects, is at the heart of the nation’s efforts to boost tourism. The Iranian railway network took shape relatively late compared to its neighbors in the Ottoman Empire, the British Raj and Egypt.

L’article Iran has one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. Hawraman/Uramanat cultural landscape

The Hawraman/Uramanat cultural landscape site is located on the slopes of Sarvabad county and shared between the Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces. The villages are unique in that the rural area embraces many dense and step-like rows of houses in such a way that the roof of each house forms the yard of the upper one, making it a special sight to see. The remote and mountainous landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat bears testimony to the traditional culture of the Hawrami people, an agropastoral Kurdish tribe that has inhabited the region since about 3000 BCE. The property, at the heart of the Zagros Mountains along the western border of Iran, encompasses two components, the Central-Eastern Valley (Zhaverud and Takht, in Kurdistan Province) and the Western Valley (Lahun, in Kermanshah Province).

The mode of human habitation in these two valleys has been adapted over millennia to the rough mountainous environment. Tiered steep-slope planning and architecture, gardening on dry-stone terraces, livestock breeding, and seasonal vertical migration are among the distinctive features of the local culture and life of the semi-nomadic Hawrami people who dwell in lowlands and highlands during different seasons of each year. Their uninterrupted presence in the landscape, which is also characterised by exceptional biodiversity and endemism, is evidenced by stone tools, caves and rock shelters, mounds, remnants of permanent and temporary settlement sites, and workshops, cemeteries, roads, villages, castles, and more. The 12 villages included in the property illustrate the Hawrami people’s evolving responses to the scarcity of productive land in their mountainous environment through the millennia. 

2. Preparation for inscription and impact for tourism

The site has been undergoing preparations in its aim to gain a place on the prestigious list, and last September, Hessam Mahdi, the representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), said the case for its inscription had been well prepared, stating he was “impressed” by the status of the rural landscape. Following of a visit to the western province of Kermanshah he said, “I am proud of being chosen to assess the case and traveling to Iran as I could visit the local people in the region.”

Local officials hope that the news will jumpstart tourism in the region as well as being a conservation tool to better preserve its natural landscapes and unique cultural scenes for future generations. They see the site’s unique rural texture, architecture, lifestyle, and agriculture as a prominent example of the integration of human beings into nature. The Islamic Republic in general expects to see a tourism boost from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, 26 of which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Under Iran’s 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. According to latest available data, eight million tourists visited during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year, which ended March 20th.

L’article Iran’s Hawraman/Uramanat cultural landscape gains place on UNESCO World Heritage List est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Last week, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi declared that Iran must get ready for a third wave. According to Iranian sources, over the past 10 days, a daily average of 3,500 infections and 200 deaths have been recorded. However, many Iranians think that these figures underestimate the true extent of the pandemic in their country.

In an interview held at the beginning of August, epidemiologist Mohammad Reza Mahboobfar declared that Iran’s real Covid-19 infection rate and death toll is about 20 times higher than what authorities claim. 

According to Mahboobfar, who has worked on the government’s anti-coronavirus campaign, the Iranian government had provided false data to keep citizens calm. He added that there was a serious disagreement between the anti-COVID campaign, and the government and that time had come for Iranians to learn the truth.

One day after the interview was published, Iranian authorities shut down the newspaper and the Health Ministry denied that Mahboobfar ever served on the government anti-COVID campaign.

According to Abbas Ali Karimi, head of Iran’s University of Medical Sciences, Iran is not facing a third wave, but an ongoing pandemic.

Today, Iran’s hospitals have reached their maximum capacity and the health care sector is about to collapse. Hadi Yazdani, a doctor in the central city of Isfahan, declared that many patients are sent back home due to the lack of space, and they do not show up in the government’s statistics.

Since June, many desperate people are taking out loans to pay for treatments at private hospitals. Lawmaker Mohsen Fathi, member of the public health committee, urged the government to increase its financial support for poor families.

Iran’s poorest population has been severely hit by the pandemic, as many medical expenses are not covered by public health insurance. Patients must pay by themselves for antiviral drugs (such as Remdesivir and Favipiravir), creating ideal conditions for the growth of the black market. 

According to Yazdani, Iran’s expert panel has removed antiviral drugs from the list of approved medicines because they can neither be imported in large quantities, nor produced in Iran. However, some hospitals are still using Favipiravir for certain special patients, including politicians and other influential figures, as explained by former Iranian lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi.

“Some 20,000 Favipiravir pills, gifted to Iran from China, were secretly imported to the country to treat high-ranking officials,” he claimed.

L’article Iran’s Covid-19 strategy divides health experts est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.