Turkish Airlines cancels multiple Istanbul–Tehran flights as protests in Iran disrupt air traffic and regional operations.
Turkish Airlines canceled five flights scheduled to operate from Istanbul to Tehran on Friday, according to information published on the Istanbul Airport mobile application.
The airport application also indicated that five Tehran-bound flights operated by Iranian airlines were canceled, while seven other flights to the Iranian capital remained scheduled. Turkish authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the disruptions
The flight cancellations come amid widespread protests in Iran linked to rising living costs, which have posed challenges for the authorities led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has been experiencing a prolonged economic crisis following years of international sanctions and as the country recovers from the June conflict with Israel. Human rights organizations have accused Iranian security forces of using live ammunition against demonstrators.
The Norway-based nongovernmental organization Iran Human Rights reported that at least 45 protesters, including eight minors, have been killed since the demonstrations began.