Charter flight to Ashgabat under consideration; Iranian youth football team and dozens of passengers stranded in Tajikistan

Commercial flights from Dushanbe to Tehran operated by Somon Air and Iran’s Varesh Airline have been cancelled due to the temporary closure of Iranian airspace, the local office of Varesh Airline confirmed to Asia-Plus.

Varesh Airline cited security concerns and Iran’s decision to suspend air traffic as the reasons for the suspension.

Charter flights and emergency options

To assist Iranian citizens stranded in Tajikistan, the authorities are working to facilitate Turkmen transit visas that would allow them to exit the country via Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan.

According to the airline representatives, the visa arrangement has been coordinated with the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe and is pending approval from Turkmenistan’s diplomatic mission.

“We are now waiting for Turkmenistan’s response regarding visa issuance for Iranian citizens currently in Tajikistan,” the airline said.

Varesh Airline is also considering organizing a charter flight from Dushanbe, potentially in partnership with Somon Air.  If enough passengers register, the flight would operate from Dushanbe to Ashgabat.

“So far, about 70 Iranian nationals have signed up for the charter — the aircraft can carry up to 80 passengers,” the airline noted.  “Those interested can still register, but a Turkmen visa is required first.”

Among those awaiting repatriation are approximately 30 members of Iran’s youth national football team, who had traveled to Dushanbe for a tournament and were unable to return home after the airport closure.

Tajik citizens returning from Iran via land route

For Tajik citizens stranded in Iran, the Embassy of Tajikistan in Tehran arranged for a bus to the Iranian-Turkmen border. There, with help from Tajikistan’s Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the travelers will transfer to another bus headed to Tajikistan.

“The diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad are continuing efforts to locate and assist Tajik nationals,” Varesh Airline stated.  Groups of around 20 people are being formed, each issued Turkmen visas at the border, then bused home.

However, all parties are still awaiting final confirmation from Turkmenistan regarding visa issuance, as well as a decision on the reopening of Iranian airspace, which remains the only obstacle to resuming normal flights.

Russian evacuation efforts and broader regional Impact

Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Iran Nizomiddin Zohidi previously told Radio Ozodi that some 30 Tajik citizens had already left Iran by land.  He added that most of those affected were not permanent residents of Iran, but rather visitors — including students, patients, or business travelers.

Out of five scheduled return flights, two have been cancelled, and around 100 people remain on the repatriation list.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Tehran confirmed that Tajik citizens were among those evacuated in Russian-organized groups.  On June 14, 88 people departed Iran, followed by 225 more on June 15.

According to Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country has assisted in the evacuation of 120 foreign nationals through its common border with Iran, including citizens of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Romania, and others.