Iranian women’s football team returns home via Istanbul amid airspace closure

Due to the closure of Iran’s airspace following joint US-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, the team traveled from Australia to Malaysia and then to Oman before reaching Türkiye.

Upon their arrival at Istanbul Airport, the delegation completed passport procedures under police escort.

The group, which reportedly included some players who had initially applied for asylum in Australia but later withdrew their requests, departed the airport by road to continue their journey back to Iran.