[3] After the war, along with becoming internationally recognized by joining the Iranian civil aviation organization to the ICAO in 1949, the airport also became an air force base.

In April 1956 Lockheed T-33 Shooting Stars (T-33As) trainer aircraft began arriving for the Imperial Iranian Air Force.

In 1961, Mehrabad Airport added a side building (current Terminal 2) used for arrival flights.

[9] On 24 January 1979, the military took control of Mehrabad and other airports in the country in an attempt to prevent Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return from exile in Paris.

[10] It ultimately relented and permitted his arrival at Mehrabad aboard a chartered Air France plane eight days later.

Due to the congestion, airlines advised travellers to arrive at Mehrabad three hours prior to departure.

[50] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Media related to Mehrabad International Airport at Wikimedia Commons