War crime: Iran says US strike hit India-bound aid aircraft at Mashhad airport

An aircraft belonging to Mahan Air was damaged in a reported US strike at Mashhad airport , Iranian officials said, potentially disrupting a planned humanitarian mission to India to collect medical supplies for people in Iran.

According to reports, the aircraft was stationed at Mashhad when the strike occurred and had been scheduled to travel to New Delhi around April 1 to collect essential medicines and humanitarian aid before returning to Iran. The flight was intended to support ongoing relief cooperation between India and Iran, after India earlier sent a consignment of medical supplies through the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Iranian diplomats had thanked the Indian public for the assistance.

Iran condemned the incident, describing the strike as a “violation of international law” targeting a humanitarian aircraft and warning that attacks on civilian aviation threaten global safety norms. However, officials from the United States have not confirmed or responded to the allegation so far.

The controversy is heightened by the background of Mahan Air, which has long faced US sanctions over alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) . Washington claims the airline has previously transported personnel and equipment connected to the IRGC’s regional operations, allegations Tehran denies, maintaining the carrier is a civilian airline.

Despite the aircraft being scheduled to collect aid from India, New Delhi has not issued an official response to the incident.