An aircraft belonging to Iran’s Mahan Air was damaged in a reported U.S. airstrike at Mashhad International Airport on Monday, Iranian officials say, disrupting a humanitarian mission flight that was scheduled to travel to New Delhi, India to collect medical supplies and aid. The development is likely to heighten tensions amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.

According to Iranian authorities and state media quoted by Reuters and other outlets, the plane was stationed on the tarmac at Mashhad when it was struck during the reported airstrike. The aircraft had been expected to depart this week for New Delhi to pick up essential medical equipment and supplies destined for Iranian civilians.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation condemned the incident, with officials characterising the strike on the civilian aircraft — which was linked to humanitarian operations — as a “war crime” and a violation of international aviation and humanitarian law. Tehran’s statements referenced conventions governing the protection of civilian flights even in conflict zones.

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There has been no official confirmation from the United States about the strike on the aircraft or its intended targets. U.S. defence authorities have not publicly acknowledged or provided details of operations at Mashhad International Airport, leaving key aspects of the incident unverified by Washington.

The reported disruption comes as India and Iran have recently coordinated humanitarian aid efforts, including shipments of medical supplies to Iran earlier in March. Those shipments were described by New Delhi as symbolic of longstanding civilisational and humanitarian ties between the two countries.

The broader context of this strike is part of escalating hostilities in the Middle East, with frequent attacks on military and infrastructure targets in Iran. Previous strikes in the conflict have also damaged aviation infrastructure, raising increasing concerns about the safety of civilian and aid-related flights operating in or near conflict zones.

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