The US State Department has advised American citizens in Iran to depart following the partial reopening of the country’s airspace. The Bureau of Consular Affairs recommended monitoring local media for updates and contacting airlines for outbound flight details. US nationals were also informed they could leave by land to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan, but cautioned against travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area.
Iran had closed its airspace after joint US-Israeli strikes commenced on February 28. However, the country recently reopened its eastern airspace for international flights, allowing for a partial resumption of airport operations. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that the airspace reopening would occur in four phases, as stated by a senior official from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization.
The Trump administration extended its ceasefire with Iran while upholding a comprehensive naval blockade. The White House emphasized a dual-track strategy, halting military actions while intensifying financial and maritime constraints. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the pause in military operations did not signify a decrease in pressure, highlighting the continuation of Operation Economic Fury and the effective naval blockade.
Despite the economic pressure escalation, negotiations with Iran have no set timeline, according to the administration. President Trump has refrained from establishing a firm deadline, leaving the negotiation timeframe to his discretion. Reports suggesting a short window for talks were dismissed by the administration, underscoring the ongoing economic restrictions on Iran.
