TEHRAN — The number of Iranian nationals slated to depart the United States in a third major repatriation flight has been reduced to approximately 20, down from an initial 40, following a measles outbreak and severe weather.

Abolfazl Mehrabadi, head of the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, said on Sunday that the group was scheduled to leave from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona on Sunday.

“Initially, around 40 Iranian detainees were scheduled to depart, but due to weather conditions and the outbreak of measles, the number dropped to 20,” Mehrabadi said.

He noted that several individuals remain in quarantine within U.S. immigration facilities. The group is traveling to Tehran via Kuwait after a brief stopover in Egypt.

This follows a trend of mass removals, including a significant flight in September 2025 involving 120 nationals and another in December that returned 55 individuals.

The humanitarian situation at the Arizona facility has sparked domestic backlash. Human rights observers have frequently cited the poor conditions and health risks within these detention centers.

Tehran has said that it has worked to ensure the safety and dignity of its citizens.